Eastern Division Task Force officers were up to late yesterday attempting to identify several suspects wanted in connection with a drug heist.Marijuana, estimated by police to have a street value of $1.5 million, was seized on Sunday at a remote beach between Grande Riviere and Matelot.Police said they were waiting for possible evidence to identify the suspects.
Officers from the Eastern Division Task Force and the National Security Operations Centre (NSOC) found approximately 160 kilogrammes of marijuana and cases of cigarettes in several crocus bags and among some bushes.Police said several cases of the cigarettes were scattered along the shoreline and in ripped up packs.
A report said PCs Darren Francis, Keron Nanon, Marvin Mendosa, Stephen Samuel, Ashley Charles, Marcus Arwing and WPC Patrice Clarke, along with other agencies, received information on the drugs and went to the area.Investigators said coincidentally a helicopter search for nine missing hikers was already under way in the same community.The hikers were soon rescued by NSOC personnel.
While circling the area, the helicopter returned and spotted a boat with the marijuana and cigarettes at a secluded spot on the shoreline.Police said the boat, which had crashed onto the shoreline, was in a quiet location.The officers who were airlifted by the NSOC helicopter to the area said the waves were very rough and choppy. Some of the officers walked from the road to the area.Investigators said while searching, they found some packets of marijuana in a forested area.
Meanwhile, the boat owner, Akile Thomas, 28, of Power Street, in Toco, reported yesterday that his boat was missing.Police said Thomas had reported to the Toco Police Station yesterday that on Christmas Day (last Thursday) he left the boat at the Toco Fishing Depot and when he returned the boat was gone.
Officers said the boat was used in the haul but was destroyed because of the rough seas during the holiday season.There were no arrests up to late yesterday and the search continued for the two men who fled the scene on foot.PC Francis is continuing inquiries.