Universal Airlines hails former GM
--- resignation unrelated to JFK drug bust
Guyana Chronicle
November 30, 2003
CONTRARY to the insinuations of a news anchor, the resignation of Mr. Vishnu Mahadeo as General Manager of Universal Airlines has nothing to do with last week's drug bust at JFK Airport.
Universal Airlines' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chandramatie Harpaul, ignored the insinuations as being unworthy of comment when she hailed Mr. Mahadeo as someone who "has proven himself to be an honest, dedicated and trustworthy individual."
Mrs. Harpaul spoke on the heels of insinuations by one television anchor that Mr. Mahadeo or Universal Airlines had been implicated in the drug bust, after reports emerged that federal agents had busted a cocaine ring involving baggage handlers at JFK Airport.
The New York story said 25 persons were arrested and charged at the conclusion of a 14-month surveillance of planes travelling from Guyana and Jamaica.
The New York story quoted "American Airlines," but the Guyanese news anchor mentioned "Universal Airlines" in his report on the bust. He later returned to say that Universal Airlines denied being the plane that was involved in the bust.
The airline consequently issued a statement affirming its position about non-involvement in the bust and even congratulated the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and the New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police for busting the drug trafficking ring.
Said Ms. Harpaul in a statement yesterday:
"It is with deep regret that we accept the resignation of Mr. Vishnu Mahadeo as General Manager of Universal Airlines.
"Mr. Mahadeo has proven himself to be a honest, dedicated and trustworthy individual.
"We congratulate Mr. Mahadeo on his new venture, Universal Cargo and Services.
"Universal Cargo and Services is not Universal Airlines. Universal Cargo and Services is authorized to ship cargo and has a business relationship with Universal Airlines.
"Mr. Mahadeo, like many others, has continued to offer his services on a voluntary basis to Universal Airlines and we would like to thank him and all the other volunteers.
"Management and staff would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr. Mahadeo every success in his future endeavors."
In a brief comment yesterday, Mr. Mahadeo said he was moved by and thankful for Ms. Harpaul's statement and would continue to do his best, singularly and in association with Universal Airlines and other progressive individuals and companies/organizations, to contribute to the growth of the Guyanese economy and the well-being of the Guyanese people.