The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service have announced a major cocaine trafficking bust with links to Guyana.
In a statement this morning, the Trinidad and Tobago Police announced the seizure of over 400 pounds of cocaine aboard a vessel that journeyed from Guyana to the twin-island Republic.
The vessel has been identified as a Guyana registered vessel.
Acting Commissioner of Police in Trinidad, Junior Benjamin, in a statement said the bust was made following an intelligence-driven operation that was executed in strategic collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Port of Spain Office, US JIATF South, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, which culminated in the successful interception and seizure of the cocaine.
He said the narcotics were expertly concealed within a deeply sealed compartment aboard the shipping vessel.
The statement said the Trinidad and Tobago Police received information which indicated that a shipping vessel, which had journeyed from Guyana to Trinidad, was carrying a substantial quantity of narcotics under the guise of legitimate cargo destined for St. Martin.
The TTPS promptly confirmed the vessel’s arrival in Trinidad on February 25, 2025, and in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, a rigorous surveillance operation was initiated, monitoring the vessel’s activities and movements closely.
The statement added that on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the vessel was observed receiving large shipments of various goods and although the shipments appeared routine, the vessel remained under tight observation.
Clearance was granted for the vessel’s departure to St. Martin that afternoon; however, the crew altered their departure schedule, setting sail during the early hours of Wednesday 12 March, 2025, which aroused the suspicion of the officers.
“This unexpected change intensified law enforcement scrutiny. Agencies strategically tracked the vessel’s movements, prepared to intervene should any illicit activity be detected. The vessel was eventually intercepted by the TTCG in open waters and escorted to Staubles Bay. Here, the TTPS deployed specialized resources, including a highly trained canine unit, to conduct an exhaustive search”, the statement said.
It was further explained that over a meticulous two-day inspection, a concealed, sealed compartment was discovered within the vessel and the cocaine was discovered in 157 packets, weighing a combined total of 182.24 kilograms.
News Source understands that the Guyana Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit was informed of the drug bust and is currently assisting with the investigations from the Guyana end.
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