Ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) yesterday morning destroyed 595 kilogrammes of narcotics, a fraction of illegal drugs that were seized during last year.
The exercise was conducted at the former Ministry of Housing tarmac at Homestretch Avenue during which quantities of marijuana and cocaine were destroyed by fire.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the operation, CANU Head James Singh disclosed that for 2022, in excess of 3.7 tonnes of marijuana and more than 124 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized.
He noted that the drugs that were destroyed are from matters that are no longer engaging the courts.
According to James, the agency recorded a number of successes, especially as it relates to the illegal flow of narcotics in communities.
He said a number of known large-scale traffickers were arrested last year.
“…This is an example of us going after, not just the persons trafficking in the communities but persons who are attempting to use cocaine to transship through Guyana to other territories,” James told reporters.
The aim, James said is to apprehend persons who are involved in trafficking narcotics and place them before the courts. “We want to send a strong message that the Government is serious about fighting narcotics within Guyana and so Guyana will not be used as a transshipment point to other territories,” he said.
James further warned that no individual is “untouchable” and once anyone is found in possession of any illegal drug they will be prosecuted. “Regardless of who you are or what position you think you hold. If you are found with narcotics, you will be arrested and placed before the courts,” he declared
