Antiguan pilot Colin Murraine faces prison over drug charges

The chief pilot of the Caribbean Helicopters Limited (CHL), Colin Murraine, faces a possible life in jail sentence after he was charged with possession, exportation of cocaine, being concerned with the supply of cocaine and drug trafficking.

Murraine, 31, was among four people detained by the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) over the weekend.

A police statement noted that the other persons, including two foreign pilots, were released and that the private aircraft on which an estimated 105 pounds of cocaine had been seized on Friday, remains in custody as part of the ongoing investigations.

Murraine is due to appear in court to answer the charges, including the one of being concerned with the supply of cocaine and drug trafficking that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

In the statement, the ONDCP said that the estimated wholesale street value for the 47.51 kilograms or approximately 105 pounds of cocaine is EC$1.7 million.