CANU questioning four in connection with airport drug bust

cocaineGeorgetown: Four men attached to the Timehri Handling Service (THS) are being questioned by the Custom Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Friday evening following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine on a Caribbean Airlines Flight destined for Toronto, Canada.

According to information received, 2.2 kilograms of cocaine were found in the aft hold (the belly) of a BW 606 aircraft by airline security during a routine search about 13:00h on the day in question.

The aircraft, based on information received, stopped at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) about 12:11h from Port of Spain, while on its way to Toronto, Canada.

After landing at the CJIA, the baggage was off-loaded from the aft hold and it was during a sweep of the hold as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the drug was discovered.

The airline security immediately summoned members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Police Narcotics Branch, and an investigation was launched.

At this point, CANU requested to search the entire plane, causing some delay.

Head of CANU James Singh on Friday evening confirmed that they are facilitating an investigation, while noting that four person are being interrogated.

On Wednesday, Anastacia Latoya Crawford, 20, was intercepted at the Ogle International Airport as she attempted to smuggle five kilograms of marijuana and three kilograms of cocaine

She appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry on Friday and was remanded to prison after she was charged with two counts of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The illegal substances were discovered after CANU officers searched the defendant’s luggage. She was booked to fly to Barbados on a LIAT flight at the Ogle airport.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, CANU issued a wanted bulletin for Mark “Polo” Mohabir, 32, of Albouystown, Georgetown, in connection with that bust.