Officials from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and national customs authorities have confiscated a large haul of illegal cannabis following a coordinated anti-drug operation at V.C. Bird International Airport, law enforcement representatives confirmed in an official media statement released June 20, 2026.
The targeted operation was launched shortly after 3:30 p.m. local time on June 18, carried out by specialized personnel from the police Narcotics Department alongside Customs Enforcement agents at the LIAT Cargo Shed, a key transit point for incoming and outgoing air freight on the island. Forensic processing of the seized contraband confirmed the total weight of the cannabis reached 34 pounds, with law enforcement estimating the haul has a street value of approximately 204,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars.
As of the latest update, active investigations are continuing to trace the origin of the shipment, identify individuals connected to the alleged trafficking operation, and build a legal case ahead of potential prosecutions. The Royal Police Force emphasized in its release that disrupting cross-border drug networks remains a top priority for local law enforcement, noting the agency is committed to sustaining close collaboration with local, regional, and international partner agencies to counter illicit drug trafficking and other transnational criminal activities that threaten public safety and national security in Antigua and Barbuda.
Law enforcement officials are calling on members of the public to contribute any information that could advance the ongoing investigation. Members of the community can reach out to the Narcotics Department directly at police headquarters, contact the Criminal Investigations Department via phone at 462-3913 or 462-3914, or submit anonymous tips through the regional Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).