Airport Drug Bust: Former national cyclist surrenders to CANU

Days after a wanted bulletin was issued for him in relation to a multi-million dollar drug bust at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), former national cyclist Tyrone Hamilton has surrendered to the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU).

CANU officials confirmed that Hamilton turned himself over on Monday. He was accompanied by his lawyer, Nigel Hughes.

Hamilton will be questioned in relation to the February 22, 2024, discovery of 156 pounds of cocaine at the CJIA.

The cocaine which is worth $64M, was discovered in two suitcases that were being prepared to be loaded onto a British Airways flight.

Another man, Gavin McKie, is also wanted for questioning in relation to the said bust.

A wanted bulletin was issued for him.

McKie’s wife, Jessica McKie, was also arrested but was later released.

The wanted bulletins were issued after two men, Travis Sealey, 26, a shift leader attached to the New Timehri Handling Service (NTHS) and Koby Bakker, 20, a ground security coordinator attached to Secure Innovations and Concept (SIC), were caught collecting four duffle bags over the airport’s fence.

CANU, in a press release, said that their officers were performing duties at the baggage shed area when they saw the two men retrieving the bags from an unknown male and placing them into suitcases.

A search of the bag led to the discovery of 64 brick-like parcels of cocaine.

Both suspects were placed in custody and have since been charged.

CANU said that if the cocaine had arrived at its intended destination in the United Kingdom, the cocaine would have been worth an estimated street value of over £3,000,000 which is equivalent to approximately GY$679 million.