By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson said yesterday police are keeping a close eye on passengers coming in from Panama after more than four people have been caught attempting to smuggle drugs into the country.

ACP Ferguson’s comments came after a 27-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday when found in possession of two and a half kilos of what was suspected to be cocaine.

The Windsor Lane resident was arrested by officers of the airport police station at 1pm shortly after getting of a flight from Panama on Copa Airlines.

Sources say the woman was found in possession of a carry on duffel bag, which contained three cereal boxes, each containing a “baggie” with suspected cocaine.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $25,000.

ACP Ferguson said police have been noticing a trend with people coming in from Panama and are keeping close watch on those flights.

He said: “The police have been vigilant with people coming in from Panama. We are watching trends and  we saw a pattern. So over the last few months you would have seen increased interdiction from persons coming in from Panama on that airline.”

ACP Ferguson said police have also stepped up their efforts in the Lynden Pindling International Airport when it comes to drug smuggling.

Last Thursday, a 25-year-old woman was arrested when she was found with six pounds of what was believed to be cocaine.

Officers from the airport police station arrested the woman shortly after 11am in the US Customs hall of LPIA.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $47,000.

Last month, 37-year-old Sheldon Davis of Fox Hill, was sentenced to four years in prison when he was caught with $2 million worth of heroin.

He had just arrived from Panama on Copa Airlines. Davis was caught with two backpacks with nine and a half pounds of heroin.

United States President Barack Obama issued a list of nations contributing  to drug production or transit last week and named The Bahamas as one of those considered a major part in the drug trade.

He said approximately five per cent of all drugs destined for the United States are estimated to pass through the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica.