A joint effort between US and Bermuda agencies has smashed a drug smuggling organisation operated by airport employees here and in the States.
The organisation used commercial flights to bring narcotics into Bermuda's LF Wade International Airport from the United States via Philadelphia International Airport.
US Consul General Grace Shelton announced tonight that an investigation involving Bermuda and US officials shut the operation down yesterday.
Said a Consulate spokesman: "This coordinated investigation identified corrupt current and former airport/airline employees in the US and Bermuda who utilised their positions to circumvent airport security and federal inspection procedures to smuggle narcotics."
Added Ms Shelton: "Law enforcement is an area of excellent cooperation between
the United States and Bermuda. Bilateral collaboration between allies can yield
strong results, and I am pleased that working together we have been able to shut
down this smuggling operations."
In a separate statement, Police in Bermuda said: ""Around 4pm on Wednesday June 1, a combined HM Customs and Bermuda Police Service team arrested three men in the Shelly Bay, Hamilton Parish area for offences relating to the importation of a significant quantity of controlled drugs.
"The arrests were the result of a prolonged investigative effort with partner agencies in the United States. At the time of the arrests, a number of evidential items were seized, including a substantial sum of cash.
"The three persons arrested remain in custody while the investigation continues."
