Port-of-Spain, Trinidad (CMC):

Caribbean Airlines yesterday, commended police officers and their internal security for intercepting TT$5.3 million (US 848,000) worth of cocaine stacked in crates aboard one of their flights.

1,246 cocaine pellets of the illegal drug were discovered carefully concealed between tomatoes and other vegetables bound for Canada aboard Caribbean Airlines Flight 600, authorities said.

Reports revealed that around 12.15 p.m last Monday, officers acting on a tip-off, carried out a search onboard the aircraft where they found the drugs.

No arrests have yet been made.

In a statement yesterday, Caribbean Airlines commended the officers for intercepting and controlling illegal substances on the airlines.

"Caribbean Airlines assures its stakeholders that theairlines' security systems meet and surpass the international standards required by all airlines," the release stated.

Director of Corporate Affairs, Dionne Ligoure, said "the airline remains vigilant and continues to work closely with the respective authorities to ensure the opportunities to transport illegal substances are minimised."

Caribbean Airlines, which replaced the now defunct BWIA, started operations on January 1 this year.