Caribbean Airlines staffer arrested for bag of cocaine at CJIA

A Caribbean Airlines staff member, who allegedly generated a tag for a bag that contained cocaine, was Tuesday afternoon arrested by agents of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU), sources said.

The bag was previously said to have been untagged. However, new information has surfaced showing that the CAL check-in counter clerk had allegedly generated three baggage tags in the name of a passenger who travelled one week ago.

He allegedly kept one tag which, according to investigators, was found on the bag that contained more than 20 pounds of cocaine.  The bag was seized by CANU agents last Saturday afternoon at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after no one had taken possession of it. Authorities believed that efforts had been in train to place the bag on a CAL flight to New York.

A member of the probe-team said that prior to arresting the CAL staffer, “we went up there (CJIA) and went through the process with him.” “He is not going home tonight,” said an investigator.

Top CANU officials said the two Customs Officers could be charged and placed before the court on Wednesday.

One baggage handler and one security agent were Tuesday also in custody.