TIMEHRI - A drug mule was caught with 9.5 kilogrammes of cocaine on January 7, 2014 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) due to the alertness of law enforcement officers at the country's main port of entry.
Canadian citizen Edwards Jones, a passenger on BW 606 flight, went through the screening process at Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and was in transit at the Timehri facility and awaiting the flight to his final destination – Toronto, Canada.
The illegal substance was discovered in the false walls of the 59 year-old checked luggage during a re-screening process at CJIA. The Airport X-Ray equipment was able to detect the anomaly and vigilant ranks were quick to identify the passengers and take him to Georgetown for further questioning.
This is the first major drug bust for 2014.
In 2013, approximately 51 kilogrammes of cocaine was confiscated from mules who tried ingenious ways to smuggle the illegal substance, including ochroes and egg plants.
The success of these detections is credited to the improvements in CCTV coverage, modern security scanning equipment and additional manpower.
