CANU searches are done with body cams – Director

Searches conducted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in pursuit of drug-related offences are done with full transparency, whereby ranks are equipped with body cameras for full accountability of these operations.
Director of CANU, James Singh gave insight into the operations of the entity, whose principal responsibility is to combat narcotics in the country. This came amid allegations of theft or destruction of property when searches are carried out by its agents.
“When we go into those locations, our officers have body cams, even to the point we have extra persons using their cellphones. We conduct a search and there is a statement, that declaration which the occupants sign, stating that nothing was taken from them, and no one was abused. So, it’s always funny afterwards, you hear people making all sorts of allegations [that] we went into their house and we stole this and we stole that,” he explained.
According to Singh, a warrant is secured before entering someone’s property if there is ample time. However, in a majority of cases, ranks are forced to act in the moment when information is provided that someone is on the move. Nevertheless, the proprietor of the home is usually present to answer for any drug discovery.
“Sometimes our operations occur on spur the moment acting on information someone may call in, or as a result of surveillance at that moment. The suspect is moving a large quantity of drugs either by boat and we have to act right away. For example, at the airport, we find someone with a large quantity of drugs. We need to go to where they just came from and we want to make sure that those persons, when they find out that the person who gave the drugs to has been caught, they don’t try to flee or get rid of any incriminating evidence.”
The CANU Director further emphasised that suspects are asked to cooperate with law enforcement in the first instance, should they delay access to their property. He emphasised that the intention of the Unit is to avoid damage to property.
Singh told media operatives, “If there is a delay, they’re trying to hide something. Either way, he’s preventing us from doing the job. We know it’s a ploy to flush the drugs down or hide it. We tend to persuade them and let them know that if they continue, we can do forced entry. But we don’t want to damage their property…When we’re searching the house, you’re present. It’s not as you’re kept outside. We want you to walk with us, because if we find something illegal, you have to answer the answer for it.”
Meanwhile, in light of concerns over the publishing of photos of persons who are yet to be charged, it was explained that this was done for transparency in CANU’s operations.
He said, “When someone is arrested and there’s indication that we’re going to charge that person, the information is released publicly. If I conduct an operation against someone’s home and there’s a large quantity of drugs, but CANU has not made a release, it lends to a lot of suspicion and conspiracies. We want to be transparent. We’re not here to embarrass anyone. But if we find a large amount of drugs in your house and you were home, we are going to process you and we are going to publish information, so the press can see we’re being transparent.”
Meanwhile, there has been one internal case whereby photos from a drug bust were circulated inadvertently without being watermarked by CANU. The Director said measures were taken to ensure these pictures were not misused.
“We go to all extent and warn our officers that we don’t have a problem people taking photographs. You’re part of an operation. You have a sense of pride. You’re happy. Everyone returned safely, no incident. But let us mark the photographs first, because we don’t want it to be misused or end up in the wrong place,” the CANU Head said.