(Trinidad Guardian) Law enforcement officers assigned to the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNFB) who reportedly seized cocaine valued $5.3 million, believe they have made a major dent in a drug smuggling operation between T&T, Guyana and Canada.

The cocaine, believed to be of a high grade, was discovered on Monday in pellet form and stuffed inside carailli. It weighed 13.4 kilos.

More of the drug was discovered hidden inside wooden baskets of tomatoes and bodi, bound for Canada on board Caribbean Airlines flight 600 at Piarco International Airport.

Police said the flight originated from Guyana, came to Trinidad and was about to take off to Canada, shortly after midday, on Monday.

Narcotics officers said although no arrests had been made, they had been monitoring the flight patterns of certain vegetable exporters, including those from Guyana and T&T.

Officers said they were able to make the seizure, after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Police said T&T is commonly used as a major trans-shipment point for drugs destined for Canada, the United States and Europe.

Officers added that during the Carnival period, there was usually a higher detection rate of narcotics entering and exiting the country, given the increased number of visitors and flights passing through T&T.

The police, however, came in for high praise from Caribbean Airlines Ltd, in a statement issued by the company.

“Caribbean Airlines assures its stakeholders that the airlines’ security systems meet and surpass the international regulatory standards required by all airlines,” the release said.

It also said that Caribbean Airlines “remains vigilant and continues to work closely with the respective authorities to ensure the opportunities to transport illegal substances are minimised.”