CANU officer dismissed over bribe
Stabroek News
June 12, 2004
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has dismissed an officer who took $700,000 from the family of a man, who was caught at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, to have the case dismissed in court.
Reports are that the former officer was at the airport and busted the man who was subsequently charged and placed before the court.
He was then approached by the man's family and was offered $1 million to offer false testimony in court. He received an initial sum of $700,000. However, details of the deal reached his superiors.
He was questioned and reportedly admitted receiving the money and made a statement to that effect before returning the money. The matter was then turned over to the police for further investigation since CANU only has authority to investigate drug-related cases.
After investigation, the police sent the matter to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice and according to information the advice was that the man was punished sufficiently since he was dismissed and had returned the money.
Several persons have questioned why the man was not placed before the court since he committed a criminal offence.