Georgetown: Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir has disclosed that some 51.64 kilograms of cocaine was unearthed at the airport in 2013.
The CEO however noted that over 16kg managed to pass through screening process at the airport, ending up abroad.
Ghir was at the time delivering the yearly report for the CJIA at a press conference hosted by Transport Minister Robeson Benn at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ghir further stated that the discoveries came as a result of cooperative efforts between the CJIA and law enforcement.
During the last year, cocaine was found in vegetables, fake suitcase bottoms and in one instance, pepper bottles.
Ghir noted that some improvements have been made to the airport security systems. He said that the airport has hired an additional 30 aviation security officers, and approximately 160 airport personnel underwent further training.
In addition, a non-intrusive body scanner was acquired. The scanner incorporates modern technology that is active wave millimeter radio frequency to scan individuals.
This machine can scan up to 300 persons per hours and detects any objects that are foreign to the body. The privacy of the passengers is guaranteed as potential threat areas are displayed on screen using a generic mannequin.
When questioned on the probability that some airport staff members might be involved in the process of smuggling, he did not dismiss the possibility, but said such information is not available to him.
Last year, some 15kg of cocaine was found in a shipment of vegetables. The cocaine was found in seven boxes of ochroes destined for a Bronx, New York address.
On another occasion, 10 parcels of cocaine weighing 11.5 kg found in a suitcase, intended for a Caribbean Airlines Flight destined for New York was intercepted. The bag was detected by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks at the baggage area.
The ranks owe the discovery to an old label which meant that the suitcase did not go through the normal security checks.
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