Former CANU agent, NY-bound passenger charged in connection with cocaine-in-shoe soles

Last Updated on Tuesday, 7 July 2015, 16:59 by GxMedia

A former Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) agent is one of two persons charged in connection with the discovery of about 500 grammes of cocaine in shoe soles at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Kurt Sunich is charged with possession of the cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, while an outgoing passenger to New York, 22-year old Israel George, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in the said amount of narcotic.

They were remanded to custody until July 20 by City Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan.

Sunich is represented by Attorney-at-Law Euclin Gomes and George’s defence lawyer is Glen Hanoman.

Investigators said the cocaine-filled shoes soles were placed in a toilet tank located in an area that is restricted only to outgoing passengers, flight crew and security personnel.

Video surveillance footage has assisted investigators in identifying the person who had allegedly taken the shoe soles to the toilet.

Sunich was relieved of duties at CANU about 18 months ago.

In the past, Guyanese have been nabbed at the CJIA and on arrival at the John F. Kennedy International Airport with quantities of cocaine stashed in shoe soles, cooked food, uncooked fish, condiments and lotion.