CANU security officers charged with allegedly stealing cocaine from seizure

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 April 2015, 20:58 by GxMedia

Two security officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were Wednesday arraigned for allegedly stealing almost GUY$1 million dollars worth of cocaine from the possession of anti-drug agents.

They were granted GUY$350,000 bail each and ordered to return to court on May 7 for report.

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Court heard that the cocaine was allegedly seized from a house at Diamond, East Bank Demerara where Barry Dataram, his common-law wife and two other persons were located.

The security officers accused of stealing eight parcels of cocaine valued GUY$936,000 from CANU agents are 26-year old Kevin Mc Kee of 199 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown and 51-year old Teon Ambrose of 954 Sophia, Greater Georgetown. They pleaded not guilty to a charge of simple larceny by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Police Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Stephen Telford told the court that eight packets were stolen from a total of 428.

Telford said Mc Kee and Ambrose did not cooperate with investigators, but surveillance video footage showed Mc Kee allegedly leaving the guard hut and going to a  freezer where the cocaine was stored.

After returning with a bag, he allegedly spoke with Ambrose and he opened the gate for Ambrose to depart. The bag was taken to an unknown location before Ambrose returned to resume duty.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry overruled the prosecution’s objection to bail and granted them their pre-trial liberty in exchange for a total of GUY$700,000 bail.