The 640 kilogrammes of compressed marijuana found stashed in a container full of cars at the John Fernandes Terminal at Industrial Site, Back Road may have been heading to Europe where there is said to be an increasing demand for high grade marijuana, sources say.
One source told this newspaper that the `herb’ which is illegal here in Guyana originated from Jamaica. It is believed that the masterminds used Guyana as a transshipment point since they felt there was a better chance of the drugs reaching its final destination from here. There have been cases were marijuana was intercepted in Corentyne, Berbice while on its way to Suriname. Senior officials had previously acknowledged that marijuana moves to and fro across the Guyana/Suriname border.
Stabroek News was told that there is a history of drug trans-shipments particularly marijuana between Guyana and Jamaica. The source expressed the belief that the perpetrators wanted to kill two birds with one stone ‒ one being getting a shipment of cars here and other, getting a drug shipment to the Netherlands and parts of Europe. It was explained that the shipment of cars could have travelled straight to Guyana from Japan but instead it stopped in Jamaica where the carefully wrapped parcels were secreted in the trunks of the vehicles.
Stabroek News was told that from Guyana, the drugs would travel to Suriname into French Guiana and then into parts of Europe where the high grade is in demand. Jamaica is said to produce this much vaunted quality.
The source expressed the belief that some of the drugs would have been left here, especially in light of the amount that was found. The GRA in a statement had said that it was its Goods Examination Unit (GEU) that made the discovery. The statement said the container originated from Japan and was trans-shipped in Jamaica.
It was stated that the container arrived here on board a vessel named Vega Sachsen on June 27. According to the GRA, an examination of the consignment was conducted two Fridays ago and a large quantity of drugs of “a compress[ed] nature” was discovered in an assortment of bags and packages with various markings. According to the statement 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.
Both agencies are now conducting examinations and investigations.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that the person who was to give the container clearance, allowing the drugs to pass, was not at work. Reports are that Customs officials were subsequently tipped off that something was wrong when no one turned up.
The use of cars for concealment is not something new in Guyana’s history, a source said. According to the source there have been many instances where large amounts of compressed marijuana had been found concealed.
Asked why the drugs would be brought here when it is grown here too, the source said that there are many reasons including the quality. The source said that what is grown in Jamaica is of a much higher quality and this is what is in demand.
No arrests
Stabroek News was told that despite the fact that the shipper and the broker had been questioned, no arrests have been made. It has been more than a week since the find and the agencies at the helm of the investigations seem no closer to cracking the case. A source close to the case said that ranks of CANU had set up a dragnet after being tipped off that drugs were inside the container. Their hope was that persons would be caught breaking into the container but unfortunately this did not happen. The value of the drugs found, the source said is US$1.5 million.
Stabroek News was told that there are indications that there is an organized ring operating at a city wharf which is engaged in trafficking drugs, mainly marijuana, coming from Jamaica. The traffickers in Jamaica, this newspaper was told are in possession of fake container seals which are placed on containers after drugs have been placed inside.
The source said that several months ago during the wee hours, a stevedore was found breaking into a container. The source said that no drugs or anything suspicious was found.
