Latest update January 21st, 2025 5:15 AM
May 29, 2014 News
A 24-year-old Police Detective yesterday appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court charged in connection with the drug bust at the Ogle International Airport on May 21 last.
Ian Johnson, a dog handler attached to the Canine Unit of the Police Narcotics Branch, is charged jointly with 19-year- old Anastasia Crawford.
Crawford was initially charged for attempting to smuggle 5.574 kilograms of marijuana and 2.286 kg of cocaine via the Ogle International Airport, last week. However, the initial charge was withdrawn and a joint charge has been instituted instead.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, when they appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.
The allegation is Johnson, a dog handler, who was on duty at the time that the 19-year- old was getting ready to board a LIAT flight to Barbados, intentionally allowed the outgoing passenger’s luggage to pass security verification points without being checked by the drug sniffing dog that was in his charge.
Details of the case are, that investigations conducted by ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU), further revealed that Johnson met and befriended the 19-year old Anastacia Crawford. Together, along with other persons, they planned to transport the drugs through the Ogle International Airport.
Johnson was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Gwendolyn Bristol, who requested bail on the basis that no drugs were found in her client’s possession. The lawyer claimed that her client has an alibi; he was not on duty at the airport, at the time of the alleged incident.
However, CANU Prosecutor, Oswald Massiah noted that although, Johnson was not found in possession of the cocaine or the marijuana, the charges were based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).
Massiah explained that based on particulars of the evidence, investigators have reasons to believe that Johnson played a major role in the attempt to smuggle the illicit substance via the airport.
The Prosecutor added that other persons are being sought in connection with the same case and more charges could be filed once those persons are located and arrested.
Magistrate Sueanna Lovell refused bail for both defendants.
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