On Wednesday, 8 May 2019 Customs and Border Control (CBC) officers arrested two men as part of an ongoing drug investigation that arose when over four pounds of cocaine was interdicted at the Owen Roberts International Airport in November last year. The men were arrested for suspicion of conspiracy to importing cocaine.
Officers arrested a 36-year-old man and a 40-year-old man, both Jamaican nationals residing in the Islands.
Following the two arrests CBC and RCIPS officers carried out searches at two separate residences in George Town.
During the search of one residence, CBC officers discovered a loaded firearm that was hidden in a kitchen appliance. The man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm. During the operation officers also seized a vehicle believed to belong to one of the two men.
Commenting on the development Director of Customs and Border Control, Charles Clifford said: “Our officers are ever- vigilant in protecting our country from the importation of illicit drugs and weapons at our controls, but also ever-focused on the domestic distribution network that moves illicit drugs and weapons from their point of import to retail. With our enhanced intelligence and risk management strategic approach we will investigate and prosecute any criminal individuals involved in smuggling attempts.”
Assistant Director of the CBC Narcotics Enforcement Team Tina Campbell said, “We can never overstate the importance of relationships amongst local law enforcement agencies. Our partnerships with the RCIPS and other agencies in interdiction efforts, continue to push us all to new heights as we work to achieve our mutual mission of ridding our communities of dangerous drugs and criminals”.
This investigation remains ongoing and is being led by the Customs Narcotics Enforcement Team.