Two Colombian drug smugglers on Friday afternoon admitted their roles in a plot to bring cocaine worth $1.4 million and $34,000 from Venezuela to Acklins.

Cristhian Garcia and Cristhian Aragon have agreed to give evidence against their former co-accused, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sonny Miller, who was the officer in charge of Acklins.

In a surprising turn of events, the men took a plea deal that required them to become cooperating witnesses in exchange for a reduced sentence of three years' imprisonment.

On the other hand, the men would get more time if they renege on the agreement.

Garcia and Aragon were arrested last June on Acklins following a joint operation that involved the US Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

When they appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville for the start of their trial, Garcia and Aragon pleaded guilty to drug possession with intent to supply, drug importation and conspiracy to commit those offenses.

Pursuant to the plea deal, the men were sentenced to 60 months in prison.

The sentence will be reduced by eight months to reflect the time spent on remand and another 14 months will be taken off in exchange for their cooperation in the prosecution of Miller.

However, if they fail to cooperate, they would serve an additional year in prison.

Miller, who has been suspended from his duties and placed on half-pay, is accused of abetment to import and possess cocaine and marijuana. He has maintained his innocence.

In an interview with the investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Roberto Goodman, Aragon said he had a meeting with Garcia on May 9 in Bogotá, Colombia.

Garcia told him to bring a change of clothing because they were headed to the Dominican Republic to make some cash.

They traveled to the Dominican Republic on May 12 and went over the details of the smuggling operation, the court heard.

On June 6, the pair traveled to Venezuela in a plane piloted by Garcia. They landed on a clandestine airstrip near the jungle and were met by guerrillas, who were protecting the runway.

The seats were removed from the aircraft and cocaine and marijuana were placed in the nose of the plane.

They traveled to Acklins on June 7.

Officers from the DEU arrested Garcia, Aragon and Miller at the airport on Acklins and seized the drugs, along with $1,640 cash, satellite phones and a GPS.

Miller's trial continues before Serville in April. He is represented by K. Melvin Munroe.

Ernie Wallace represented the Colombians and Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Stephanie Pintard and Darnell Dorsette are the prosecutors.

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