The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) over the past four months unearthed some 28 kilogrammes (61lbs) of cocaine that originated here, the bulk of which was hidden in hollowed–out pineapples and watermelons.
According to a report in The Windsor Star, with the seizures the Canadians have also broken–up a well-organised international narcotics ring, which has ties to Eastern Canada, the United States, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Guyana.
Six persons have been arrested, including Denise Sonia Edwards, 46, Dexter Emmanuel Boyce, 43, Abdool Zaman Hakeek, 54, Linval Earl Brown, 52, Roman Clint McInnis, 42, and Lancelot Henry, 45.
According to the report, officers from the CBSA and various units of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) from Toronto, New Brunswick and Windsor were involved in the investigation, along with several government agencies from Canada and overseas.
Locally, Head of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) James Singh told Stabroek News yesterday that the agency has not been contacted by the Canadians for assistance in their investigations but he noted that he was aware of the issue, which has been looked at by anti-narcotics agencies since last year.
The Windsor Star stated that the probe into the case started when the CBSA officers in New Brunswick seized a marine container which contained concealed cocaine. The drugs were hidden inside the hollowed-out pineapples and officers collected some 19 kilos of cocaine which were stuffed inside 80 pineapples scattered in the shipment.
Investigators estimated the value of the drugs at CDN$850,000.The container was linked to a Toronto address and over the following four months the RCMP identified further illegal drug shipments.
The report stated that CBSA officers intercepted two trucks, each of which contained 115 kilos of marijuana and valued CDN$230 000. The drugs were hidden in the packaging surrounding shipments of watermelons.
