On Friday night, 9 November 2018, in a joint Customs and Police intelligence led operation at the Owen Roberts International Airport, Customs Officers arrested a 30-year-old male Jamaican national on suspicion of possession and importation of approximately five pounds of cocaine. The passenger had arrived on Cayman Airways flight 621 from Kingston Jamaica.

In announcing the arrest, Collector of Customs Charles Clifford said, “We continue to achieve very positive results from our joint operations with the RCIPS and the Department of Immigration. Our officers from our Customs Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted this operation professionally and with diligence and I commend and thank them for their focus and commitment to duty.  I wish to also thank the Commissioner of Police and his officers for their invaluable contribution to this operation. We certainly look forward to continuing this partnership.”

The drugs were concealed in food product boxes and following the arrest of the suspect, the drugs were field tested by Customs officers at the airport and tested positive for cocaine.

The Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, in commenting on the arrest, said: “This is a significant arrest and proves once again that by pooling our resources we are more effective in ensuring the national security of the Cayman Islands.”

Deputy Collector of Customs Jeff Jackson, who has Portfolio responsibility for Border Control in the Customs Department, lauded the arrest by stating, “This was an admirable display of teamwork by our Customs officers and colleagues from the RCIPS. As we continue our transition from the traditional gatekeepers approach to the intelligence-led risk management approach we expect to see more positive results.” 

The suspect in this case remains in custody and the investigation is continuing. The drugs will be tested and weighed by the Forensic Laboratory in anticipation of imminent court proceedings.

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IMAGE: National Institute on Drug Abuse