Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 23, 2014 News
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) burnt in excess of one ton of marijuana and
cocaine under heavy security on Homestretch Avenue yesterday, in the presence of media operatives and representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Fire Service.
These narcotics, which amounted to under one ton of marijuana and 730 kilogrammes of cocaine, were subjected to immediate destruction following the conclusion of the court cases of the offenders connected with it. The seizures were said to be made from late 2013 to present.
The sealed packets of cocaine were opened and tested by CANU officials in the presence of media operatives, to confirm its authenticity.
According to the Head of CANU, James Singh, most of the narcotics were seized from local shipments destined to the United States of America, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. He said that CANU’s close collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF) and overseas counterparts, resulted in more local than overseas seizures, within the last two years.
However, he said drug traffickers are still trying their best to ship drugs out of the country, as it is a “lucrative trade” for them.
Singh said that the street prices in the United States of America and Europe for the cocaine seizures alone, would amount to at least, US$29M, at $40, 000 per kilogram.
He said that CANU’s operations are not only based in local areas where drugs are imported and
exported, but noted that the Unit conducts operations anywhere in Guyana where narcotics have been reported to be present.
He made reference to the recent discovery of a semi-submersible vessel in the Waini River by CANU and the GDF, following a tip.
Singh insisted that the vessel was “fully constructed in Guyana”.
The Head of CANU said that “experts from overseas have visited the location to carry out forensic checks on the semi-submersible vessel”, which will confirm its capacity, the origin of its design and the distance it is capable of travelling under water.
He said that CANU is under the firm opinion that the vessel was ready to be loaded with contraband for distribution to another location.
Singh related that “six or more persons” have been arrested in connection with the vessel, but refused to discuss any other details, as investigations are still ongoing.
Singh said that CANU is working “very closely” with the DEA, and other foreign intelligence agencies, to eradicate the drug trade in Guyana. He said that with the added intelligence and sharing of information by foreign counterparts, Guyana’s drug trade is expected to decline significantly.
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