Cops seize $12m in cocaine, ganja

Police seized close to $12 million worth of cocaine and marijuana during two separate exercises in Arima and Barataria yesterday.  Detectives said they found $8.4 million in cocaine in an air-conditioning unit at a house in The Crossings, a gated community in Arima around 7 am. 

A 25-year-old woman, a Jamaican national and a ramp attendant employed with Caribbean Airlines were among five people who were arrested.  Officers of the Criminal Investigation Department, Port-of-Spain Task Force, Besson Street police and Canine Unit received a tip-off and went to the house, on Tumpuna Road, Arima.

The officers said the cocaine was found packed in the air-conditioning unit.  The cocaine was bound for Jamaica. The exercise was led by ASP Sahadeo Singh and assisted by Sgts Billy, Frank, Cpl Bruno, PCs Sankar, Kamal, Holloway and Eastman. The suspects are expected to appear before an Arima magistrate on Monday.  

In the other bust, officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force seized 180 pounds of marijuana in a bushy area at Sawmill Avenue, Barataria.  The officers also destroyed a quantity of marijuana plants in the Santa Cruz forests.  Sgt Alexander, Cpl Samuel, PCs Constantine, Dass  and Lezama assisted in the exercise. A 29-year-old man has been held in connection with that offence.