Cannabis worth $489 million was found at a farm at DeVeldt Village, Berbice River, during a Joint Service narcotics eradication exercise, and a 37-year-old man who was found tending to plants has since been arrested and placed into police custody.
In addition to the cannabis, the police also found two shotguns.
According to a Guyana Police Force release, the eradication exercise was conducted between 05:00 hrs and 14:00 hrs last Friday, when ranks from the Guyana Police Force’s Marine Section and Narcotic Branch, along with ranks from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, conducted a search at DeVeldt Savannah, Upper Berbice River.
The release said they found the cannabis farm, measuring about four acres and containing two camps and two drying areas as well as the two shotguns with ammunition.
The police also reported that about 20,000 cannabis plants, measuring from six inches to two feet in height, were found on the farm. The plants had an estimated weight of 400 pounds, while another set of cannabis, found at the two drying areas, had an estimated weight of 800 pounds.
In total, they all had a street value of $489,000,000.
At the time of the operation, a 37-year-old farmer of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and of Wiruni, Berbice River was found attending to the cannabis plants, as a result, he was escorted to the Central Police Station where he was placed into custody.
Additionally, during the search on the first camp, a suspected 12 gauge shot gun which was loaded with three live cartridges was found, along with a Guyana passport, an identification card and one birth certificate, all of which were in the name of the said farmer.
Meanwhile, a search on the second camp led to the discovery of another suspected 12 gauge shot gun and four live 12 gauge cartridges. Both shot guns and the ammunitions were lodged.
Among the mentioned articles, a gasoline plow, several farming tools and a spray can were found in the camp which were later destroyed by fire.
