Customs Anti Narcotic Unit Head James Singh today said that thus far seven persons have been questioned in connection with the Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) vessel that was discovered in Waini in the northwest and investigations are still ongoing.
“These semi-submersible vessels are built for one reason and one reason only and that is to transport drugs, mainly cocaine. This vessel was more than like going to Europe or Africa not the US…the camp itself has been there for at least five months based on the materials found,” Singh said at a displaying of the vessel for the media at the coast guard headquarters Ruimveldt today.
According to GINA, Singh said that the odometer reading revealed that the vessel travelled for only three hours and that includes a test run conducted in the Waini River by the law enforcement agencies to see the maximum speed.
He said that the top speed of the vessel when empty is about 10-12 knots, while when fully laden it has an average speed is six to eight knots.
This information, along with other evidence found at the camp site, has led investigators to conclude that the vessel was constructed in Guyana, GINA reported. The fuel and fiber glass material of which the vessel is made were all imported from another country, GINA reported. Only the food stuff found at the camp site was local.
“This is based on us sharing information with experts, persons who have seized vessels like this before… this now moves us beyond just transshipment,” Singh said, according to GINA.
The vessel was found in mid August hidden away in a swamp, and was transported on a barge to Georgetown.
