Four civilians employed to the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division (TCND) and who are accused of stealing cocaine that was scheduled to be destroyed, appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The men, Sherwin Gayle, Rupert Pinnock, Patrick Hamilton and Conrad Barrett, are all charged with possession of and dealing in cocaine, simple larceny of cocaine and conspiracy. Gayle is also charged additionally with trafficking cocaine.

15 parcels

The allegations are that on March 6, the TCND planned to destroy seized cocaine and marijuana. It is alleged that the team arrived at the site about 12 p.m. and began to unload the truck which was transporting the contraband. The truck was expected to be carrying 15 parcels of cocaine, however, when the police checked, 12 were missing.

A search was conducted and five parcels were reportedly found in the back of the truck behind the seats, one was found under the passenger seat, three in the cab of the truck, hidden inside a knapsack and one was found in the male changing room, reportedly in Hamilton's belongings.

Another parcel was reportedly found in a cap belonging to Pinnock. Gayle reportedly later confessed to taking a parcel and one was found during a search of his private motor vehicle.

When the matter was mentioned on Tuesday, the men were all offered $500,000 bail. They are to return to court on April 1.