MORE than a month after surrendering, Tyrone Hamilton, a former national cyclist, was remanded to prison on Thursday. After a wanted bulletin was issued in connection with a cocaine bust at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on February 22, he surrendered.

Hamilton of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Kitty Public Road, Georgetown is accused of conspiring to traffic 71.2 kilogrammes of cocaine.  The matter was adjourned until May 16, when the accused will make another appearance at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts. Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse presided over the matter.

On March 4, Hamilton surrendered to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). Meanwhile, Gavin McKie of Republic Gardens, EBD, remains wanted for questioning in connection with the bust. Jessica McKie, a well-known hairdresser and Gavin McKie’s wife, was arrested but subsequently released.

Back in February, Travis Sealey and Koby Bakker were remanded to prison over the large quantity of cocaine that authorities say was found in duffle bags at the country’s main airport.
Sealey, 26, a shift leader with the New Timehri Handling Service (NTHS), and Bakker, 20, a ground security coordinator with Secure Innovations and Concept (SIC), both of Timehri, EBD are accused of trafficking 71.2 kilogrammes of cocaine

CANU alleged that the two men were observed retrieving four duffle bags over the airport’s fence from an unknown male on February 22. A search of the bags led to the discovery of 64 brick-like parcels of cocaine, carrying a street value of GY$64M.

According to CANU, the narcotic was intended to be loaded on a British Airways Flight bound for St. Lucia, with onwards connection to the United Kingdom (UK).

If the narcotic had reached its intended destination, the estimated street value would have been over £3,000,000 which is equivalent to approximately GY$679 million.