PM supports Griffith's gag order on drug story

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Guardian photo)

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar acknowledged on Sunday that authorities in Trinidad and Tobago worked with Amefican allies on the multi-million dollar dug bust in the U.S. last December.

U.S. officials in Norfolk, Virginia found a shipment of cocaine hidden in juice cans from Trinidad. Experts said the value of the cocaine was TT$644 million.

Reporters asked the prime minister about the matter when she arrived at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) to launch of a National Week of Prayer.

"The matter is under investigation and very sensitive and it would be inappropriate to comment," she told journalists. 

She said narco trafficking is a common problem that nations face and Trinidad and Tobago is dealing with the problem. Persad-Bissessar said the installation of scanners at the port would help in detecting drugs in cargo.

The government acquired the two scanners - valued at $25 million each - through a funding grant. The equipment arrived in the country last month and two others are expected later in the year.

Persad-Bissessar said she supports the position of National Security Minister Gary Griffith on not releasing details of the investigation.

"With such sensitive matters, information should be released only on a need-to-know basis," Persad-Bissessar said.

Local officials and agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration are working on the case.