Two more soldiers have been implicated in the 75-pound marijuana find aboard the army’s flagship, ‘GDFS Essequibo’ and up to last night were being interrogated by Coast Guard officials.
The vessel departed Guyana for Barbados on Sunday to participate for the second time in Exercise Tradewinds, but was recalled early Wednesday morning, one day after it docked, following the find of the prohibited substance.
It arrived in Guyana at about noon yesterday and sources said the ship was searched again to ensure that no more drugs were on board.
Reports state that the ship was sanitized prior to its departure.
It was not until Wednesday morning, while in Barbados, that a Coast Guard rank who had flown to Barbados, aroused suspicions when he tried to sneak aboard the vessel. He was questioned and revealed that there was a stash of marijuana on board.
The army immediately notified the Defence Board and recalled the vessel to Port Georgetown to conduct investigation.
The Directors of the Exercise and other authorities were also notified about the vessel’s recall.