Updated: Narcotics policeman allegedly linked to Barbados-bound drugs charged

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 May 2014, 1:52 by GxMedia

An anti-narcotics policeman, who allegedly facilitated the attempted smuggling of a quantity of cocaine and marijuana to Barbados, was Wednesday arraigned on a drugs charge.

Constable Ian Johnson,24, was arraigned at the Sparendaam Court before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Johnson pleaded not guilty and he was remanded to prison until June 13 after Defence Lawyer, Gwendolyn Bristol failed to secure bail.

Investigators said he counselled and procured 19-year old Anastasia Latoya Crawford to take possession of the drugs for the purpose of trafficking to Barbados aboard a LIAT flight. Crime sleuths further learnt that before the offence the policeman and Mark “Polo” Mohabir had visited Crawford at her 29 Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown home where they had made arrangements. The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) has issued a wanted bulletin for Mohabir.

The court was told that Johnson was not at work but he had been monitoring Crawford on her cellular phone and instructing her who to go to.

Johnson, a dog handler at the Narcotics Branch, was assigned to the Ogle International Airport.

Investigators said Crawford was carrying 2.286 kilogrammes of cocaine and 5.574 kilogrammes of marijuana when she was arrested on May 21.