Guyanese fingered in huge Antigua cocaine bust

Last Updated on Friday, 11 July 2014, 15:12 by GxMedia

The seized cocaine. (Photo courtesy ONDCP)

ANTIGUA OBSERVER.-ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The biggest drug haul to be made in recent times by Caribbean law enforcement agencies was carried out by The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) in Antigua on Wednesday.

Lawmen swooped down on a property at Old Runway and carted off 480 kilograms or 1,058 pounds of cocaine worth slightly under EC $17 million in Antigua or £24 million (EC $111 million) in the United Kingdom.

The cocaine, wrapped in over 400 parcels, was stashed in bags.

“Assisting in the investigations are a 41 year old Antiguan male and a 41 year old Guyanese female, both residing in Old Runway,” said an ONDCP release.

“It is expected that relevant persons will soon be charged and will be arraigned before the Court, (today) Friday, July 11, 2014,” it added.

The release did not indicate whether other agencies were involved in the seizure.

“It is the largest by any Caribbean law enforcement agency in recent history, so it is a significant achievement by the men and women of the agency,” Director of ONDCP Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft said.

The raid follows the seizure of approximately 2300 pounds of cannabis that carried an estimated street value of EC $37 million and the arrest of the Jamaican crew comprising of six (6) men who are presently awaiting trial in the High Court.

In 2010, the ONDCP seized over 900 kilos of cocaine from three Columbian men and a Venezuelan man. At the end of the trial the captain of the vessel was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment and a record fine of EC $385,675,920.18.