Police investigating discovery of cocaine near CJIA fence

By Bhisham Mohamed

Three weeks after the discovery of more than 25 kilograms of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), officials acting on a tip-off again discovered close to two kilograms of the illicit substance within the aerodrome on Tuesday.

The two packets of cocaine were discovered between the Texaco fuel terminal and the New Timehri Handling Service building after airport authorities received a telephone call informing them that someone had thrown a bag over the perimeter fence.
Despite a quick response by the police and other drug enforcement units, no one was seen in proximity to where the bag was found.
As a result, the airport officials ordered that the entire area become a prohibited zone until the police complete their investigations.
No one was arrested nor suspected of committing the act, but police as well as airport officials are investigating the incident which was described as “quite disturbing”. An airport official told Guyana Times International that the interception of the drug is testimony that the collaboration between airport security and other drug enforcement agencies to alleviate the drug trade is working.
Making reference to the recent busts, he added that it is evident that the mules have used up all their available avenues to traffic narcotics through the airport, hence them resorting to desperate measures, which will in turn force them to make a mistake.
Meanwhile, following the 25 kilos cocaine bust on August 3, six airport personnel have been stripped of their badges. Four of them are from the New Timehri Handling Service while the other two are from a contracted security firm. According to information received, an employee, who was on the run since the discovery has turned himself in to police. It is not confirmed whether or not he was charged.
This newspaper understands that once cocaine was discovered at the CJIA, an investigation would have been launched involving all stakeholders, and based on evidence garnered, the people who are culpable of the crime are stripped of their posts, and are handed over to the police for further questioning.
In the case with the 25 kilos of cocaine, the decision was taken to send home the six people based on the evidence gathered and provided to the airport authorities by the police, CANU and airport security.
An official also explained that once the investigations revealed that there have been breaches in security, they would go back to the drawing board to address the issue and make recommendations to bridge the gap. CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir posited that following Tuesday’s discovery, airport officials nor the police did anything, noting that there is no evidence to implicate anyone.
He said the airport management will continue to work with stakeholders to reduce the drug trade while at the same time, pointing out that airport authorities meet on a regular basis to come up with recommendations to further tighten security at the facility.