Four Venezuelans held at sea

Capt Al Alexander, in a Defence Force statement yesterday, said the Coast guard intercepted the Don Luis at about 8.55 pm on Saturday, off the North Coast near Corozal Point.

As the Coast Guard personnel tried to board the pirogue, its occupants began throwing cargo into the sea, said Alexander. However, three large red bags filled with 79 packets of a “compressed plant like substance”, weighing 77.4 kilos, were recovered from the sea. Four hundred and thirty-five bolivars (Venezuelan currency) were found in the pirogue, said Alexander.

The four Venezuelans and the cargo were escorted to Staubles Bay. The Venezuelans, the packets and the money were handed over to the Organised Crime and Narcotics and Firearms Bureau.

The Venezuelan Embassy has been informed of the detainment, said Alexander.