Antiguan-born Pastor and Barber Held After EC$357,000 Cannabis Bust at V.C. Bird Airport

A 54-year-old pastor who claims that he is also a barber from Cedar Grove is assisting police with investigations following the seizure of nearly 60 pounds of suspected cannabis at the V.C. Bird International Airport on Saturday.

The individual has been identified as Dean Robert Gould, who arrived on American Airlines Flight AA2579 on June 13. 

According to law enforcement officials, the discovery was made after a police K9 unit alerted officers to two black duffle bags belonging to Gould. A subsequent search reportedly uncovered 60 parcels of a greenish, bushy vegetable matter believed to be cannabis.

Investigators said the packages were wrapped in green plastic bags and tissue paper, then covered with white cloth material and concealed at the bottom of the luggage among clothing and footwear.

The suspected cannabis weighed approximately 59.5 pounds and has an estimated street value of EC$357,000.

Authorities also reported finding several packages inside the luggage bearing the name Jahmai Gould, with a listed address in the Bronx, New York. Investigators are examining the significance of that discovery as part of their ongoing inquiries.

Gould, whose passport identifies him as a United States citizen born in Antigua and Barbuda, was taken into custody for questioning following the seizure. He is expected to be charged on Monday.

Police investigations are continuing.