Saturday, November 7 2009

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James Philbert...

“THIS was the first time in my career that I came across so much liquid cocaine! I never see so much liquid cocaine,” acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert said as he reacted to the discovery of over $8 million of the illegal drug in the basement of a house in Phoenix Park, Couva, on Thursday.

The basement was converted into a cocaine lab where blocks of the narcotic were transformed into liquid which was then soaked in several items.

“But the most obscene thing seen, soaked in the liquid cocaine were pages from the Holy Bhagvad Gita and there were also starch bottles filled with the liquid cocaine,” Philbert added.

Speaking to reporters after a function on Thursday night to honour police officers who performed with merit during the Fifth Summit of the Americas at the San Fernando City Hall, Philbert said he led a team of officers to several areas in central Trinidad earlier that day after police received numerous complaints of suspicious activities taking place.

“The officers executed a search warrant on a Venezuelan national at a house in Phoenix Park, Couva, and we discovered in the basement a lab containing basins and three-quarter pigtail buckets of liquid cocaine. Also two large chunks of cocaine were found in a black plastic bag which was sealed with masking tape,” Philbert said.

“We also came across letters inviting certain persons to visit overseas. I believe the women were involved in the packing and transporting of the cocaine,” Philbert said as he referred to two women who were among five persons arrested.

Yesterday in Phoenix Park, Couva resident expressed shock over the cocaine bust. “We never knew there was such an operation going on right under our noses,” a resident said. “This is a real shock.”

“The people from that house moved in about three months ago and all they would do is say a quick hello and go about their business. They never meddled with anyone and kept to themselves,” a resident said.

Residents said the house where the bust took place was rented out and the owner of the property does not live in the area. “While he does not live in the area, we know the owner from small. He is a decent fellow and it is the tenants who did wrong,” the resident said.

“Next thing we see police moving out with a pigtail bucket, a big black bag and a large bottle. The police officers were in the house for a few hours,” a resident said.