Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 09, 2014 News
By: Romila Boodram
Head of the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh, yesterday said that with the help of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Colombians, his unit was able to confirm that the semi-submersible vessel found in the Waini River last month was made in Guyana.
During a forum for the media to view the mini submarine at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coastguard Base at Ruimveldt, the head of CANU said that intelligence reports his unit received led to the discovery of the vessel, which they believed was likely to be used in the drug smuggling trade.
Singh said that CANU officials, GDF Special Forces, Coast guards and Air Corps, conducted the operation along the Waini River and later discovered the narco-vessel.
He explained that the materials found at the camp, where the vessel was discovered; led officials to conclude that the vessel was created locally from scratch. “We are 100 percent sure that the vessel was constructed in Guyana. The camp has been there for at least five months based on the construction and the materials found. The fuel, fiberglass and other materials were imported from another country. Only the food stuff was local,” Singh said.
He added that at the request of the Guyana Government, officials from DEA and Columbia came here and shared their expertise. This helped local ranks to have a better understanding of the vessel and its purpose.
He continued, “This vessel was built for the sole purpose of transporting drugs from Guyana across the Atlantic. We are currently speaking with our counterparts overseas, including the DEA and the Colombians, in terms of identifying the particular group because there are several groups that have used the semi submersible to move narcotics.”
According to the CANU head, the only difference between last month’s findings and the other discoveries in the different countries is that; it is the first time that such a vessel has been found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Singh said that this clearly demonstrates that the drug smugglers are now capable and are in the process of taking drugs across the Atlantic Ocean.
It is believed that the vessel was created to go to Europe or Africa. Seven persons were held for questioning by CANU in connection with the vessel.
Singh explained that the vessel has the capacity to carry between four and five persons with more than five tons of cocaine. It is 63 feet long and eight feet high. The widest part is the middle which has a width of 12 feet.
The vessel weighed about 18 tons.
The engine, according to James Singh, is brand new and at the time of the discovery had only been used for about three hours. He added that the vessel would have reached a top speed of 10 to 12 knots when empty, and when fully laden, about six to eight knots.
Singh said that it was transported via a barge and then hoisted by a crane unto a low bed trailer and taken to the Coastguard’s compound.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that he was shocked when he saw the size of the vessel.
“This shows that Guyanese have a lot of capacity and rather than using it for these types of activities, they should use it for the benefit of this country. Guyanese who use their skills to smuggle drugs are committing an international crime,” the Minister said.
He added that he believed that the discovery of the vessel will send a strong signal to those who are involved in this type of activity.
Minister Rohee congratulated CANU and GDF Special Forces for the discovery of the vessel.
On September 1, last, CANU head James Singh, was forced via a legal order to release a Waini River businessman, Michael D’Andrade, who was detained over the discovery of the narco vessel.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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