Investigations are underway by local law enforcement officers into the latest discovery of 44 litres of liquid cocaine that were concealed in cartons of orange juice at the Port of Halifax in Canada.
Norris Williams, 46, of Whitby, and 46-year-old Lincoln Strachan, of Mississauga, were arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, importing drugs into Canada, and conspiracy.
The cocaine, which originated from T&T, could have been converted into 24 kilogrammes of powdered cocaine. The drugs were concealed in 40 cartons of orange juice. The brand used was not disclosed to the public and no figure was estimated for the drug haul.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said yesterday the investigation commenced on November 16, 2015, when Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Port of Halifax inspected a sea container containing different food products that originated from T&T.
In a brief telephone interview, senior police officers said acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams was being updated on the development of the investigation. Detectives of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNFB) are leading the inquiries.
Williams is said to be discussing the investigations with OCNFB head Senior Superintendent John Fredericks.
In December 20, 2013, the US Customs Border Protection officers seized 332 kilos of cocaine which originated from T&T at the Norfolk Port in Virginia, United States.
Investigators said there was a difference in the investigations since the drugs in the present case were placed in cartons, whereas in the earlier case they were in cans.
The countries where they were discovered were also a factor.
Meanwhile, Nestle T&T Ltd has distanced itself from the cocaine seizure in what appeared to be Orchard Drink cartons.
The company said yesterday it does not export products to Canada but only to the Caribbean region. It maintained that its products were safe for consumption.
Admitting that the cartons looked like an Orchard product, the company’s corporate communications manager Denise D’Abadie said all their products go through quality tests and it was difficult to insert anything into their products.
“I would like to confirm that all of our products, all our Orchard range of juices and drinks, are 100 per cent safe for consumption. All of our raw materials and finished products undergo rigorous quality testing during every stage of the manufacturing process.
“We are aware of the media reports but we have not been contacted by any of the authorities, whether in Canada or Trinidad to confirm. I can confirm to you that we do not export any of our products directly or indirectly to Canada or any port in Canada,” D’Abadie said.