Cocaine washed ashore estimated at TT$71M

The cocaine washed ashore along the eastern coastline for the past two weeks has a street value of $71 million, according to police estimates. The weight of the illicit drug was put at 178.12 kilos.

Yesterday, officers of the Eastern Division  completed an audit of all the cocaine seized in that division for the past two weeks. The report, which was ordered on Tuesday, is expected to be submitted today to Acting Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs. Two weeks ago, cocaine packages in crocus bags were discovered washed ashore at Manzanilla. More cocaine was discovered in Mayaro and Moruga. Investigators told Newsday that the cocaine may have originated in Venezuela, destined for the US. It is also felt that two bodies found floating in the eastern coast following the discovery of the coke may be linked to the drugs.
Up until yesterday, investigators were unable to determine how the cocaine washed up on the eastern coasts. However, police officers believe that a quantity of cocaine were stolen and buried in Mayaro, Manzanilla and Moruga. They issued a call to members of the public who may be in possession of the cocaine to hand it over to the police. Officers claimed that persons who do so will not be arrested nor charged. Police officers continued to patrol the eastern coasts yesterday in a bid to retieve more drugs. The patrols will continue indefinitely.