Icacos captain, fisherman held for contraband

South Western Division police arrested a boat captain and a fisherman at Icacos beach, Cedros, on Sunday after finding several contraband items.

On Monday, a police release said the officers went to the beach in response to a request for assistance from the Air Guard Unit.

When they arrived, the Air Guard officers told them that around 8.10 am, while on air patrol off the coast of Icacos Bay, they had seen a fishing pirogue headed inland towards Constance Coconut Estate at high speed.

The release said the vessel ran ashore, and three male occupants jumped out and ran into the coconut estate.

The captain and the fisherman later returned to the vessel and surrendered.

Police searched the vessel and found 51 buckets containing white cheese, 22 rolls of sausage, 13 bags of cassava bread, and four boxes containing 200 cigars.

Police arrested both men, who are from Icacos, for having "uncustomed goods."

They seized the goods and the boat, which they handed over to the Customs and Excise Division.

Investigations are ongoing.