T&T cops stop $34 million in cocaine, flying to NY

The cocaine allegedly seized at the Piarco International Airport

(Trinidad Express) Five persons are expected to appear before an Arima Magistrate, jointly charged with the possession of 38.8 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The cocaine has an estimated street value of TT$ 34,720,000 million.

Marlon Ricardo Thomas 45, a labourer, of San Juan; along with Krystel Birot, 24, of Trincity; and Maurice Edwin Hinds, 27, of Arouca; both employed with Swissport; as well as Kyle Jones, 23, of Sangre Grande; and K’Dere Lee Gomez 27, of Carapo, both employed with Intercept Security, were arrested and subsequently charged after the drugs were found concealed in two suitcases, at Piarco International Airport two Sundays ago.

The suitcases were to be loaded on Caribbean Airlines flight, BW520, destined for New York, around 10:45pm, on the same day.

The suitcases, contained 38 and 39 packets of cocaine, weighing 42.88 and 43.92 kilogrammes of the drug respectively.

The accused were charged following investigations by the Organised Crime and Intelligence Unit.