The police have arrested and charged a Canadian national in connection with the importation of a significant quantity of cannabis at the V.C. Bird International Airport.

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 21 March, officers attached to the Narcotics Department, along with members of the K-9 Unit and the Customs Enforcement Unit, conducted a joint drug interdiction operation at the airport.

During the operation, the officers were alerted to a silver suitcase belonging to 23-year-old Semand Vivan Shammo Aljndo of Canada, who had arrived in Antigua on Air Canada flight AC1832 from Toronto.

The search revealed a total of twenty-six (26) vacuum-sealed packages containing the controlled drug cannabis. The packages were seized, and the suspect was taken into custody and transported to Police Headquarters for further investigations.

The substance amounted to twenty-six (26) pounds with an estimated street value of $208,000.00 ECC.

He is expected to be charged in connection with drug-related offences.

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda continues to intensify its efforts at all ports of entry to combat the illegal importation and trafficking of controlled substances.

The Police Administration is also reminding the public that strict enforcement measures remain in place to deter and prosecute persons involved in drug-related activities.

Anyone with information related to drug trafficking or other criminal activities is encouraged to contact the Narcotics Department or call the Crimestoppers anonymous hotline at 800-8477.