A Caribbean Airlines employee has been arrested in connection with the cocaine bust at the Cheddi Jagan airport over the weekend as the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) widens the probe that may be targeting a “big time” drug dealer.
CANU head James Singh yesterday confirmed the arrest, saying that this brings the numbers of persons in custody to three, following the detention of a bag handler and a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) employee.
Singh told Stabroek News that CANU was hoping to place some persons before the court but intelligence led to some additional investigations.
According to Singh, the investigations should be completed by Friday and charges will be laid.
Ten parcels amounting to 11 kilos of cocaine were found in a bag in the baggage area last Saturday afternoon and it is believed that the bag was bound for New York.
A plane was being prepared for departure from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri for JFK International Airport in New York when the discovery was made.
Sources said yesterday that this cocaine discovery is linked to another bust about a month ago at JFK International Airport.
Sources said that the authorities are looking for a “big time cocaine dealer” here.
According to one source, one of those in custody was seen on surveillance footage holding the bag which was later found with the cocaine, after his shift had ended. Stabroek News was told that on Monday the seven persons on duty when the discovery was made were arrested.
The GRA employee could not be found resulting in a wanted bulletin being issued for him, the source said.
The source said that the discovery was a “free” shipment, meaning that it was to pass freely to compensate for the losses that were inquired as a result of the bust in New York.
