The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) has recommended the immediate dismissal of one of its ranks who was recorded during an apparent attempt to extort a traveller at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after claiming that a quantity of marijuana was found in her luggage.
In a statement, CANU said that as a result of the findings of an investigation, there was “a serious breach” of its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and as a result “recommendations for the immediate dismissal of the Officer in question have been forwarded to the Ministry of Public Security.”
A video, which was viewed by thousands on Facebook, was recorded by the Guyanese traveller, who was asked by the officer to stop recording since they were having a conversation and he was doing her “a favour.”
In the description above the video, the traveller highlighted the fact that she had just checked in and was sitting in the waiting area to board her flight when she was approached by the customs officer who requested to see her passport, which she gave to him. She noted that the rank had a very small plastic bag in his hand and told her he found it in her suitcase.
The officer, she noted, then walked away with her passport and she followed. She then stated that she observed the rank with the individual that placed her bag through the scanner. She said that she then requested her passport, which was returned but she was then told that there was marijuana in her suitcase and that they were trying to help. It was shortly after that she began to record the interaction between her and the rank.
During the two-minute long video, the rank can he be heard pleading with the passenger to turn off the recording, repeatedly saying “I’m doing you a big favour.” He even states that narcotics possession is a serious offence. This statement resulted in the passenger indicating that he was doing her no favour and that the alleged narcotics was in his possession all the time. The passenger could be heard stating, “I came with my suitcase; it was in my bedroom, at my house….”
In response, the rank asked if she was trying to say that he planted the narcotics.
As the video was coming to an end, the seemingly annoyed passenger advised the CANU rank to have his supervisor speak to her. After requesting to have a seat, the passenger was asked by the rank not to cause a scene and to once again stop recording.
In its statement yesterday, CANU noted that it strives at all times to operate professionally with a high level of integrity and all officers are afforded the necessary training to perform their duties in accordance with the Unit’s SOPs and are encouraged to maintain the expected standard of integrity. “Therefore any Officer found with conduct inimical to the Unit’ policies, will be dealt with condignly,” it said, while adding that the conduct of the officer in the video recording did not reflect what the unit stands for and should not be used as an indicator of the conduct of the many hardworking and professional Officers of the Unit who daily perform their duties with a high level of integrity.
“CANU regrets this unfortunate incident and wishes to assure the public that no acts of indiscipline and unprofessionalism will be condoned,” it added.
CANU also reminded the public that it welcomes feedback and that contact can be made on telephone numbers 227-3507 and 226-0431.
