Former CANU officer, ex cop implicated in cocaine seizure

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

A former Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) officer and a former policeman are among six persons implicated in an attempt to smuggle several kilogrammes of cocaine to the United States (US), according to reliable sources.

25-year old American Briana Ashley should have been arraigned on Thursday for being in possession of 4.5 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. However, the woman has identified several persons she alleged were part of the scheme to give her the narcotic substance Wednesday afternoon before she was caught by CANU agents at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). While Ashley is expected to appear in court on Friday, CANU has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed with the six other detainees.

Investigators believe that the CANU officer was expected to use his influence with his former colleagues to ensure safe passage of the drug. The anti-drug agent worked at CANU for two years before leaving the job voluntarily in 2012.

Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com) was told that the former policeman had also accompanied the woman to the airport in a taxi.

Among the five men and one woman held are the taxi driver and a man who went to the hotel where Ashley had been staying and gave her the bag containing the cocaine, sources said.