PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Caribbean Airlines (CAL) yesterday confirmed that a quantity of cocaine had been found on one of its planes that was due to depart for the United States.

It said that the drugs were found in the cargo section and placed among chilli peppers on Flight 480 bound for Florida.

CAL communications manager Clint Williams told reporters, “I can confirm some drugs were found”, adding that they were discovered during the routine check of the airline.

Media reports said that while the name and address of the person to whom the package was addressed had not been disclosed, a man was being sought by the authorities.

The quantity of cocaine and the street value were not disclosed.

Gun, ammo seized in Lucea

THE Lucea police yesterday seized a firearm and four rounds of ammunition during an operation in Haughton Meadows, Lucea, Hanover.

The police said that about 10:00 am lawmen searched an open lot where the firearm — a Bryco 9mm pistol — and four 9mm cartridges were found.

No arrest was made in connection with the seizure.

Investigations continue.

Elderly man dies in fire

THE burnt remains of a man were discovered in the aftermath of a fire that destroyed his four-bedroom dwelling in Addington district, Sandy Bay, Thursday last night.

Dead is 70-year-old Leebert Earnett, a pensioner.

Residents reportedly saw smoke coming from the building about 11:00 pm and alerted the police.

One unit from the Lucea Fire Department responded and carried out cooling down operations, during which Earnett’s remains were found.

Accused in NCB fraud denied bail

A man who is accused of defrauding the National Commercial Bank (NCB) of $5 million was yesterday denied bail when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

The accused, 25-year-old Christopher Walker of Central Village in St Catherine, reportedly transferred the funds from the accounts of one of the bank’s customer via the retail banking system between December 2012 and April this year.

Walker, who was employed by a company contracted to service the bank’s online system, was arrested and charged after he surrendered to the police on April 22.

The theft was reportedly uncovered after several customers complained that funds have been withdrawn from their accounts. The police have reportedly recovered $2 million.

When Walker appeared in court, his attorney, Anthony Pearson, sought bail for him but it was refused after the investigating officer requested two more weeks to complete the investigation.

The investigator told the court that he believed the accused will interfere with the investigations and that the bank has not received anymore complaints since Walker’s arrest.

Walker was subsequently remanded in custody and is to return to court on May 9.