As investigations into the discovery of 4.4 tonnes of cocaine buried near an illegal airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini) widen, investigators from the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) are examining the alleged involvement of police officers who may be stationed in communities in the area.
When CANU launched its probe of illegal airstrips and the movement of drugs in the region, the police in the area were left in the dark. CANU turned to the Guyana Defence Force and the US Drug Enforcement Agency for support.
According to a report published by NewsSource Guyana, the move by CANU may have been triggered by allegations of police collusion in the movement of illegal aircraft and drugs in the Region One area.
Questioned about those reports, the Director of CANU, James Singh, said the Acting Police Commissioner and the Crime Chief have both been briefed on the reports.
“From all indications, most of the persons involved in this are foreign nationals. There is some speculation that there was some local assistance and that is still being investigated,” Singh said. “As you alluded to just now, about the involvement of police and other law enforcement persons, the Commissioner of Police and I had a meeting last evening along with the Crime Chief, and we are working on that together.”
Meanwhile, Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken said he is unaware of the reports of the possible involvement of police officers. Hicken said he first learnt of the allegations through the media. (CMC)
