Narcotics investigators have uncovered another novel method being used by drug smugglers to export cocaine out of the country.

On Monday, a woman constable's attention was arrested by a unique-looking plastic dish, covered with cooked food, while she was on duty at the Norman Manley International Airport.

"It was like three dishes glued together and, in between the spaces, we found two pounds of cocaine in each compartment," head of the Narcotics Division, Senior Super-intendent Carlton Wilson, told The Gleaner yesterday.

Innovative

He further explained that the drug was found in the possession of a 25-year-old Dutch national, José Higino Miks, who was travelling from Suriname to the United Kingdom. The narcotics chief said the cocaine was detected while Miks' suitcase was being searched at the Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston.

"He appeared in the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Wednesday and was remanded. He is to return on July 28," said Wilson.

The discovery came less than a week after the police found a quantity of compressed ganja concealed in gas cylinders.

"They are using innovative ways of smuggling the drugs. Recently, we detected drugs concealed in water heaters and air tanks," said Wilson.

This latest incident has increased the amount of cocaine seized since January to more than 153 kilos.

Police records have also revealed that the lawmen are more vigilant at the airports.

"We have arrested 114 persons coming through the Norman Manley International Airport with cocaine and 46 at the Donald Sangster International Airport," said Wilson.

He said 39 of those arrested were enroute to the United Kingdom, 11 to Curaçao and four to the United States.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com