Released: June 2, 2011 - Three arrests after US-Bermuda investigation
Bernews.com
Following a joint investigation between both Bermuda and U.S. agencies, three men were arrested yesterday afternoon [June 1] for offences relating to the importation of a significant quantity of controlled drugs.
In addition, what the Police term a “substantial sum of cash” was recovered. The arrests came after a prolonged investigation by both the Bermuda Police and U.S. law enforcement. Bernews unofficially understands the alleged incidents that are under investigation may have included airline employees both here and overseas.
A Police spokesman said, “Around 4:00p.m. on Wednesday 1st June, 2011 a combined H.M. 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.”
Update: A statement from the U.S. Consulate said, “On June 1, 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), DEA, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS), HM Customs and US Airways Security successfully dismantled an organization that exploited commercial aircraft to smuggle narcotics into Bermuda from the United States via Philadelphia International Airport.”
This coordinated investigation identified corrupt current and former airport/airline employees in the U.S. and Bermuda who utilized their positions to circumvent airport security and federal inspection procedures to smuggle narcotics.
ICE/HSI has and will continue to utilize its broad investigative authority to target those individuals that pose direct threats to our communities both in the U.S. and abroad.
U.S. Consul General Grace Shelton said, “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.”