VIP, Executive Lounge might have allowed cocaine smuggling - Luncheon

VIP, Executive Lounge might have allowed cocaine smuggling – Luncheon

Nov 29, 2008 News

Cocaine and other illegal items, including victims of human trafficking, might have been passing through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport via the VIP and Executive lounges as a result of weaknesses and lack of coordination in the area, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said yesterday.

Dr. Luncheon said that there will be a review of the access to, and operating procedures at, the two lounges.

There have been reports, he said, of non-conformity with the established rules and procedures governing access and use of the facilities.

This has resulted in events that impinge on security, Customs and immigration operations.

Reports suggested that there might have been some exploitation of the failure to adequately coordinate, and things might have fallen through the ‘cracks’, Dr. Luncheon added.

“So what is intended now is to consolidate the management of supervision to ensure that we clear what the procedures are and who is responsible for enforcing what element.”

He added that cameras have been installed, but Cabinet is not satisfied that enough cameras have been installed, while at the same time concerns have been raised about the placements of the cameras.

“There is questionable access to the facility… A better coordinated system needs to be put in place…the feeling is that the weaknesses, the lack of coordination, could have provided an opportunity for cocaine and smuggling,” Dr. Luncheon said.

Recently, Operations Manager at the airport, Mohamed Khan, was dismissed.

Kaieteur News was told that a memo was circulated among employees at the airport stating that Khan is no longer employed with the organization.

The memo, which was sent to Kaieteur News, stated that all correspondence should be directed to the airport’s Chief Executive Officer.

A source at the airport told Kaieteur News that Khan had retired and had been employed on a month-to-month contract with the airport.