MARK BASSANT
An estimated TT$.3 million (TT$300,000) in cocaine was found hidden in preserved fruits at the TTPost National Mail Centre in Piarco, yesterday evening.
The cocaine find came mere hours after Customs and Excise Division officers, along with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), made a significant arms and ammunition discovery at a Central warehouse in Couva on Monday night, which followed the discovery of another large cache of arms and ammunition that was made last Friday at the bond at the Piarco International Airport.
The preserved prunes and cherries in which the cocaine was secreted, discovered by officers of the Customs and Excise Division on Tuesday 27 April 2021, at the TTPost National Mail Centre in Piarco. (Image: TTPS)
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Senior sources at the Customs and Excise Division told Guardian Media that the package was dropped off at a TTPost centre in Valsayn a few days ago. It eventually made its way to the TTPost National Mail Centre, where yesterday, officers of the Customs and Excise Division examined the package, around 2:30 p.m.
The preserved prunes and cherries in which the cocaine was secreted, discovered by officers of the Customs and Excise Division on Tuesday 27 April 2021, at the TTPost National Mail Centre in Piarco. (Image: TTPS)
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The officers later dissected the preserved prunes and cherries in the packets and found what appeared to be cocaine hidden inside.
The preserved prunes and cherries in which the cocaine was secreted, discovered by officers of the Customs and Excise Division on Tuesday 27 April 2021, at the TTPost National Mail Centre in Piarco. (Image: TTPS)
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The drugs were later weighed, and some 610 grams were discovered. Sources say the estimated street value was US$55,000 (TT$374,000).
One kilogram (1,000grams) of cocaine, according to law enforcement sources, is worth approximately US$80,000 on the streets.
The drug shipment was destined for the United States.
Investigations are ongoing.
