Ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday morning destroyed over $100 million in illicit drugs, including cocaine and marijuana that had been seized over the past two years.
The joint operation, which was conducted at Homestretch Avenue, saw the over 2,000 kilograms of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs being destroyed by fire.
The drugs carried a total street value of more than $100 million.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the operation, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn reported that there have been “significant” successes in the fight against drug trafficking.
“We have had successes at 9 Miles, Potaro, Orealla and Kwakwani, relating to significant seizures, destruction and the capture of planes and persons transporting narcotics,” he said.
He noted that two airplanes were also seized during these operations and will be used by the police and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to carry out operations.
The drugs that were destroyed are all from matters that are no longer engaging the courts.
Benn also said that there has also been increased training in relation to the prosecution of drug-related matters. “There has been some training with the Attorney General’s Chambers and agencies in the United States (US) and others, virtually and face-to-face, with respect to prosecutorial training for members of these agencies who represent the State in these and other matters,” he noted.
Meanwhile, CANU head James Singh told the media that it was close collaborative efforts and operations between the law enforcement agencies over the years that led to the seizure of the majority of the drugs destroyed yesterday.
He described the information sharing between CANU and its counterparts as “a lot more open”.
“A lot more is coming to the table and that is why we are able to identify specific areas where these aircraft are going, the patterns and the organisations behind it,” Singh said.
The operation was overseen by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag), Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus; Head of CANU, James Singh; Head of the GPF Narcotics branch, Superintendent Karl Wilson and other senior officials from the organisations.
