Tuesday, May 13 2008

TWO MEN have been detained by police who continued the search last night for several packets of what is believed to be cocaine floating in the sea off Point Radix in Mayaro. The suspects, one from Arouca and the other from Mayaro, were arrested in a boat offshore at Point Radix by the police who acted on a tip-off.

According to reports, officers from the Mayaro Police Station received a tip-off that a boat containing large packets of cocaine was expected to be at the beach for a drop off. A police source explained that officers put plans in place to capture the suspects.

Up to late yesterday evening, police could not confirm if dozens of black plastic packets seen floating at sea were indeed cocaine. Police are working on the theory that the men threw the illegal drugs overboard upon learning of the tip-off.

Heavily armed officers from the Coast Guard and army accompanied police officers to the Point Radix beach where they spent several hours searching the shore, the sea and several nearby houses for the illegal drugs.

At Ortoire Beach, scores of curious villagers gathered to get a glimpse of the search.

A villager who identified herself as Treceyann Suzano, said that two National Security Services helicopters hovered over houses and the sea during the operation.

“We are not sure what is happening with all these lawmen. But with all this drama taking place we can’t concentrate on our daily routine.

“Right now everyone have their eyes at Point Radix, ” Suzano said. She said that two persons were taken from the helicopter and then whisked away to the Mayaro Police Station.

Up to late yesterday lawmen were still at Point Radix which separates Joseph Village from Ortoire Village.