$36M heroin seized in the Gulf
OFFICERS of the TT Coast Guard, based at Cedros multi-purpose centre, intercepted a Venezuelan pirogue off the south-western peninsula on Wednesday evening and seized about $36 million in heroin. Three persons — two Venezuelans and a Trinidadian, were arrested. According to reports, a party of police officers and the Coast Guard found the heroin concealed in the lining of a large black suitcase hidden inside the Venezuelan pirogue. The heroin was stacked in hard plastic cases approximately one centimetre thick. The drug was seized during a joint interdiction operation of the Special Anti-crime Unit, Coast Guard, and Customs. Police believe the heroin was destined for trans-shipment to the United States and the United Kingdom via sea ports as well as through Piarco International Airport. According to a police report, Coast Guard members attached to the Cedros base spotted a white pirogue — ‘‘El Chaero’’ — on the high seas in Trinidad and Tobago waters at about 6.30 pm. The pirogue was a few miles off Bonasse Village. The report stated that a Coast Guard vessel was dispatched immediately and the Venezuelan pirogue was intercepted. The officers boarded the boat and conducted a search during which they found the suitcase. The officers escorted the pirogue with the three men to the Coast Guard’s Cedros-base jetty, where a party of police detectives from the Point Fortin CID had been waiting. The police party included: acting Sgt Flanders, PCs Bahadoor, Gupta, Joseph, Haynes and Ramdeen. The police party searched the suitcase and found some six kilos of heroin in packets, stacked in black, hard plastic cases. According to the police report, the heroin was concealed in the suitcase’s back lining and side braces. Heroin is a highly addictive analgesic drug, which is derived from morphine. It is very popular in Middle Eastern countries. The three men were arrested and taken to the Point Fortin Police Station. The two Venezuelans are ages 30 and 41. The Trinidadian is a 31-year-old man from Fullerton Village, Cedros. The Venezuelan pirogue was impounded and lodged at the Cedros Coast Guard base. The men were expected to be charged yesterday by the police with possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking. Custom officers of the Customs and Excise Division in Cedros are also expected to lay charges.
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"$36M heroin seized in the Gulf"