Case dismissed against Immigration Officers accused of cocaine trafficking

Three Immigration Officers and a Security Officer were on Wednesday freed from a charge of conspiracy to traffick drugs in relation to $1.3M worth of cocaine which was found on a Dynamic Airways Flight at JFK Airport in 2016.

Immigration officers Oral David, 31; Orin Parris, 26; Raduskie Wright, 26 and security officer Diane Jackson, 33 were on trial before City Magistrate, Leron Daly for the said offence.

The Magistrate on Wednesday ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case due to lack of evidence. As such, the Magistrate dismissed the case against the defendants.

It is alleged that on February 2, 2016, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, they conspired with each other and other persons to traffic narcotics.

The defendants were represented by Attorneys-at-law, George Thomas and Sandil Kissoon.

According to reports, a package of cocaine was discovered in the baggage hold of the Dynamic Airways flight after it landed at JFK on February 2, 2016.

Reports are that the cocaine was placed into the baggage hold by a local handler and was found by handling staff while clearing luggage from the aircraft upon its arrival in the USA.

In light of the discovery, Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) launched investigations which led to the arrest of the three Immigration Officers and security guard.