10 arrested after cocaine found in frozen fish at CJIA
Ten persons were taken into Police custody after a quantity of cocaine was unearthed in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara, on Wednesday morning.
The cocaine found stashed in the frozen fish
According to reports, at about 02:00h, members of the Police narcotic branch intercepted over six kilograms of cocaine in several boxes. The boxes were found among other cargo during a routine check by Police.
Guyana Times understands that of the 10 arrested, six are ramp attendants attached to a handling service at the main port of entry. The others are reportedly shipping agents.
The consignment of frozen fish was destined for the United States of America. The seizure comes as the Guyana Police Force intensifies its efforts to clamp down on the scourge of drug trafficking.
Police are continuing their investigations.
Only last month, Sarfraz Jalaladeen, 30, of Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was busted at the CJIA with almost 12 pounds of cocaine in milk powder packets. He was sentenced to serve four years in prison and fined $16.3 million.
Reports are that the welder who was travelling for the first time to the United States via a Caribbean Airlines flight was intercepted by members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit after they became suspicious after noticing several packets of what appeared to be powdered milk in the man’s suitcases.
A closer examination revealed that the milk packets were resealed and a further check was undertaken. It was then that the ranks realised that the contents of the packets were cocaine. He was arrested and taken to CANU headquarters where the illegal substance was weighed and proved to be just over 6kg.
The suspect told CANU ranks that he was promised US$7000 to traffic the illegal substance to New York but did not say if he was paid an advance.
