A dedicated investigation team has been established at the CID Headquarters to investigate the disappearance and alleged tampering of cocaine exhibits.

The team brings together officers from the Major Crime Unit, Digital Forensics Unit, Anti-Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Unit, as well as forensic investigators.

Police say the tampering was discovered on September 16 during an inspection involving a senior Judiciary official, a senior DPP representative, the investigating officer and a crime scene investigation officer.

Following the discovery of seven missing bars of cocaine, Police launched an investigation and began reconstructing the timeline of events surrounding the exhibits.

Police say the remaining parcels were also tested for traces of illicit drugs, with the results returning negative.

The investigation has so far established through court records that the drugs were initially tested and confirmed as cocaine in February 2019, with another purity test conducted in July 2019.

By: Litia Rabua