Archaeologist sought in pepper cocaine probe

Wanted: Yakoo Shivtahal
Wanted: Yakoo Shivtahal
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) yesterday said it was seeking another East Coast resident in relation to the first pepper cocaine seizure in Canada on December 8, 2008.

CANU named the man as Yakoo Shivtahal of 105 Area E Better Hope North. He is said to be an archaeologist. Sources say CANU is pursuing a lead that a bond had been rented on the East Coast where cocaine was inserted into the dividers separating bottles of pepper sauce.

CANU has questioned the key players in the organization that is believed to have smuggled 376 kilos of cocaine in the cartons. One shipment was busted on December 8 in New Brunswick, Canada and the other was nabbed on December 24 in St Croix, the US Virgin Islands after Canadian authorities tipped off the US DEA.

Following the seizure of the first pepper cocaine shipment Mahendrapaul Doodnauth, who unloaded the boxes at a rented storage facility on Rexdale Boulevard in Toronto was arrested by Canadian authorities.

He was later charged with importing cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

CANU then issued a bulletin for Indarpaul Doodnauth and he made himself available to the agency for questioning. Doodnauth, an East Coast-based businessman is the brother of Mahendrapaul Doodnauth.

Other local figures have also been questioned including a businessman associated with the car trade.

CANU and Canadian authorities have also shared information on the busts.

While no charges have been brought here, CANU believes it has disrupted this particular ring and has instilled fear and distrust in the main players. Locals involved in the business have also come under increasing pressure from the financiers of the drug supplies and their Colombian suppliers.