Feb 28 - Three Arrested on Cannabis Charges Following RGP Camp Bay Operation
Early yesterday morning, RGP Officers challenged five men acting suspiciously in the area of Camp Bay when they realised that they were in possession of five bales of Cannabis Resin. Three of the men, namely Juan Diego Araujo De Vera, aged 40 of No.15 Stanley Buildings, Francisco Jesus Guerrero Navas, aged 23 of La Linea and Mohamed Tarik Baraka Taher, aged 39 of Ceuta were arrested on suspicion of Possession of a Controlled Drug.
Baraka Taher at one stage broke free from one of the officers and jumped into the sea but he was followed by one of the officers who apprehended him.
A search was carried out in the vicinity and a further three bales of Cannabis Resin were found floating in the sea. Whilst in the area two other persons of Spanish Nationality were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the exportation of drugs into Gibraltar. All persons were then conveyed to Police Headquarters.
A full search of the area including a dive was carried out but nothing further was found.
During all this operation very close liaison was carried out with the Guardia Civil maritime section and information received indicates that shortly after the arrests in Gibraltar a rib was detained in the area of Getares where 14 bales of Cannabis Resin were seized. A Press Release issued by the Guardia Civil recognized the assistance of the RGP.
The three men involved were charged with one count of possession of 325kgs of Cannabis Resin, One count of Possession with intent to supply the Cannabis Resin and one count of being knowingly concerned in the importation of a prohibited import.
Araujo De Vera was further charged with one count of Being knowingly concerned in the attempted exportation of a prohibited export and Baraka Taher was further charged; one count of Obstructing Police, One count of Possession of 5 grams of Cannabis Resin and one count of importing said Cannabis Resin.
Defendants appeared before the Magistrates Court this morning.
