Several persons are expected to be charged in Barbados as early as today after illegal drugs and a submachine gun were found aboard the cargo vessel that sailed from Guyana.
Royal Barbados Police Force spokesman Inspector David Welch yesterday told Stabroek News that investigations were still ongoing. He said the men were expected to make a court appearance yesterday but it did not happen. He said there is a possibility they will be taken to court today, but noted that an investigation is still being conducted.
This newspaper was told that the crew of eight was arrested on Tuesday night. Welch could not say if all of the men would be charged.
An article published on nationnews.com on Wednesday quoted a press release from the police as saying that a search was carried out on the cargo vessel, which unearthed 20.6 kilogrammes of cocaine, 107 packages of cannabis weighing 101.02 kilogrammes, and a submachine pistol, which were seized.
The operation was carried out by members of the Police Drug Squad, the Enforcement Unit of the Barbados Customs and Excise Department and the Barbados Coast Guard.
According to nationnews.com, the eight crew members were detained to assist with investigations.
Meanwhile, officials of the Customs and Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) here in Guyana say that they are aware of the matter and are investigating.
This newspaper has been reliably informed that the vessel had been under surveillance by Guyanese authorities and that officials in Barbados might have been tipped off.
