Dear Editor,

Permit me to respond to misrepresentations of facts I have been seeing in the press in relation to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) security officers charged for allowing a pink suitcase of 24.6 kilos of cocaine to leave CJIA.

This misrepresentation is by the defence who in a devious and calculating manner is attempting to divert from the facts.

Firstly, I wish to state that any person against whom I advise charges my advice is based solely on the evidence in the file and consideration of the relevant law.

Secondly, I wish to state that the incident involving me and my husband at the CJIA on October 15, 2009 that is being referred to in the press is in no way related to the charges instituted by the police in relation to the security officers of CJIA who permitted the pink suitcase of cocaine to leave the said CJIA on January 12, 2010.

These two incidents are totally unrelated and the defence is trying to make a link to divert from the facts of the investigations.

The investigations originated by the United States of Amercica Customs and Border Patrol Canine at JFK Airport and were continued by the Guyana Police Force. I was not involved in either of these and merely advised the police based on the evidence in the file. An advice that had legal merit and which the police implemented.

Thirdly, there was never any issue with me at the CJIA on October 15, 2009 in relation to a dog sniffing my suitcase.

Yours faithfully,
Shalimar Ali-Hack
Director of Public Prosecutions