The four men who were intercepted on a vessel in Antiguan waters in the country’s largest cocaine bust ever, are expected to be charged in a day or two as officials from the Organisation of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) continue to conduct their investigations.
The Class A drug which was seized in a speedboat arriving from Venezuela on Wednesday, has a street value of EC $126,360,000.
The three Venezuelans and a Colombian, ranging in ages from 40 to 43, were captured in the southern section of the island.
The joint operation between the ONDCP and the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), on Wednesday evening, netted 900 kilos (1,984.1 pounds) of cocaine.
“If the cocaine had arrived in the UK it would be sold at a street value of £90,000,000 while in the USA the street value would be approximately US $90,000,000,” a communiqué from the ONDCP read.
The illegal substance was found in more than 32 tightly wrapped and sealed plastic packages that were stacked in a large, black bag, amongst cargo.
The Director of ONDCP Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft told The Daily OBSERVER, “We are indeed elated that we were able to make a contribution of peace and security through the interception of this very dangerous drug.
“This success would have saved the lives of hundreds of persons whether in Antigua & Barbuda, in the region or internationally. We are happy that Antigua & Barbuda was able to play its role in the fight against individuals who engage in criminal activity.
Colonel Croft said he was extremely pleased to know that his team played an integral role in keeping the illicit drugs off the streets.
“I’m just thankful of the women and men of the ONDCP and I also wish to recognise the professionalism of the Coast Guard and other agencies involved in the effort.”
The director has pledged to keep patrolling to protect the lives of residents.
This cocaine seizure, the largest in the history of Antigua & Barbuda is also possibly one of the largest within the Eastern Caribbean.
Just last month, an Antiguan and two Montserratian men were caught with $3.871 million worth of cocaine at the Deep Water Harbour. The 24 sealed packages totalled 27.4 kilos or 60.28 pounds. The men have since been charged and each released on $4 million bail. The matter is pending in the court.
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this is nothing they would would pay some money then release.only in antigua. let this had happen in trinidad it would only be jail time antigua needs to adopt this ,life in prison for these large shipment the government have to work on this now because it is getting out of countrol. or maybe things are hard so every one would have to turn to this type of work.
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It seems as though trafficking in cocaine through Antigua began only a couple years ago. I say this because it is only since then Antigua has been involved in interception of these smugglers. Hmmmmm. If it was going on all along I wonder how it is only now that we are catching them. Is it that we no longer have the mouse watching the cheese? Just thinking…..
The brave men and women of the country’s security forces and protective services must be highly commended. Less we forget, that in June, 2004, a historic drug shipment of $24.7 miliion was intercepted in Antigua and Barbuda waters only 10 weeks into the UPPs administration. Had it not been for the new sheriff in town, the drug shipment would have been delivered to it’s destination as planned. Under a former administration, the coast guard of the A/B defence force were handicapped with substandard equipment and facilities.
This cocaine seizure ($126 Million), the largest in the history of Antigua & Barbuda, was made possible because of an acute upgrade in equipment and facilities, obtained by our security forces. Thanks fellas. Thanks for keeping that poison off our streets.
JUST WATCHING, EVER HEARD OF THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS. AS MUCH AS I AGREE THAT THEY SHOULD BE FINED AND CONFINED BUT GIVING THEM JAIL TIME WILL ONLY MAKE THE STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM AND THE GOVT WILL HAVE TO FEED THEM ETC. AND HARD LABOR IS ON A LONG VACATION OR DEAD. ON THE OTHER HAND IF EXECUTION WAS ONE OF THE SENTENCES WELL…. A VERY LARGE FINE WOULD PUT MONEY INTO THE TREASURY, THAT’S WHAT IS CALLED CUTTING LOSSES.
Where was its final destination & who was the Antiguan link? The men caught should be bargined with to give up the Antiguan link/s.
They have to do jail time. Confiscate all of their assets and then jail them for life. A simple fine is no deterrent for these major drug dealers.
If this was China, they would be facing the firing squad this morning. The end result is that China with a population of over 1 billion people has less of a drug problem than tiny Antigua.
Also why didn’t the security force follow to drug dealers to the buyers and arrest them too? These guys are all non-nationals and therefore some individual or individuals on the island are involved. You can still plea bargain. Maybe offer them 20 years in jail instead of a life sentence for the names of the buyers.
the police force was in full effect this morning in pigotts i saw nearly 20 officers no exaggeration, with guns n vest the whole works, now it would appear as if they are doing there job, however this is only due to the fact an incident occured in realtion to drugs recently, more RANDOM SEARCHES. And please satan cant correct sin. I saw several questionable officers interrogating individuals, all i can do is smile n pray for the safety of this country, that was another sixteen year old view.
I agree with VeNoM; Importance must now be placed on finding out from the captured men, who was going to be their Antiguan link.
Three cheers to the Police and ONDCP and anyone else that helped get these criminals. GREAT WORK!
Does this mean Dr. Cort gets a speed boat?
I wonder if those Venezuelans heard lyrics man song about rasta government and with them being spanish speaking mistook the words and thought he said in antigua we have a rasta government. Anyway in any case the song said calli good for cash flow not cocaine.