Two arrested in Trinidad over multimillion-dollar drug seizure

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The United States Embassy in Trinidad on Friday said two Trinidad and Tobago nationals have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine into America.

It said that Daveanan Deonarine and Michael Samsondar were arrested on provisional arrest warrants on December 10 after they were both charged in the Eastern District of Louisiana for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States stemming from a 2023 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation that yielded a seizure of 168 kilograms of cocaine in Trinidad.

“By volume of the narcotics, the May 18, 2023, operation was the largest seizure of drugs during an on-land operation in Trinbagonian history. The drugs are valued at over TT$234 million,” the US Embassy said, adding that the suspects are in custody pending extradition proceedings to the United States.

The arrests were carried out by personnel from the DEA Vetted Unit, supported by the Special Investigative Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

“The US Embassy’s DEA personnel and TOCU have been working side by side for over two decades. The close working relationship they have fostered, the mutual trust, and their excellent law enforcement work show results in these arrests,” said Chargé d’Affaires Dr.Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz.

“Together, the United States and Trinidad and Tobago are making the region safer and more secure for all of our citizens. I am proud of the work we do with our Trinbagonian counterparts day in and day out,” she added.

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