Customs officer held for undeclared US$150,000

NALINEE SEELAL

PIARCO police detained a grade II Customs and Excise officer on Monday after US$150,000, which he had not declared, was found in a barrel which he tried to clear.

According to reports, the officer went to the Amerijet Compound at Piarco shortly after midday on Monday and presented documents to clear a barrel sent to him from North America.

His colleagues searched the barrel and allegedly found the money at the bottom. They questioned the officer about the cash but he insisted he knew nothing about it.

He was taken to the Piarco Police Station and later questioned by the Financial Intelligence Bureau (FIB). Legal officers assigned to the police were yesterday advising the FIB officers on how to proceed.