Police have seized 662 kilos of cannabis, valued at approximately $19.8 million, during an early-morning operation at Chatham Beach, Cedros, on Wednesday.
Around 6:15 a.m, police officers attached to the South Western Division Task Force, acting on intelligence, proceeded to South Beach Road, Chatham, where they met with a team of Coast Guard officers.
The officers were informed that, around 4:50 a.m., a vessel of interest had been observed heading towards Chatham Beach South.
A subsequent search of the beach resulted in officers discovering 17 bales containing packets of cannabis. The discovery was made near a 27-foot white pirogue observed approximately 400 metres offshore on the eastern side of the beach.
Several persons were reportedly seen transferring large items from the vessel to the shoreline. However, upon the approach of the officers, the individuals boarded the pirogue and escaped out to sea.
The 17 bales were subsequently transported to the Cap-De-Ville Police Post, where they were examined and weighed in the presence of police and Coast Guard personnel.
The seizure comprised 1,155 packets weighing a total of 662 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of $19,833,171.60.
