Customs officials yesterday morning discovered some 640 kilogrammes of compressed marijuana stashed in a container full of cars at the John Fernandes Terminal at Industrial Site, Back Road.
Up to press time last evening, the shipper and the broker were being questioned about the find.
The bags of cannabis were found mainly under the spare wheels in the trunks of the cars.
The discovery comes just a few days after Jamaica’s Customs Commissioner Richard Reese told the Jamaica Gleaner that an upsurge in marijuana shipments to Guyana has been seen.
According to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), it was its Goods Examination Unit (GEU) that made the discovery. The release said that the container originated from Japan and was transshipped in Jamaica.
It was stated that the container arrived here on board a vessel named Vega Scahsen on June 27.
“An examination of the consignment was conducted and a large quantity of drugs of a compress[ed] nature… was discovered in an assortment of bags and packages with various markings,” the GRA said in a statement, adding that the agency’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) was informed of the find, resulting in the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) being called in. CANU took possession of the drugs.
“The two agencies are currently conducting examinations and investigations.
Sources told this newspaper that yesterday was the first time the container was opened.
It had been sitting there unopened because, it is alleged, the person who was to give it clearance, allowing the drugs to pass, was not at work. Reports are that Customs officials were tipped off that something was wrong.
