The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) today said that contrary to reports circulating in the public domain, its Director James Singh informed the Commissioner of the Police Clifton Hicken, and other Senior Police Officers that an operation was ongoing in the Region One area.
A release today from CANU said that the Commissioner of Police proceeded to offer his support to the ongoing operation if needed.
“CANU being a part of (the) Joint Services, enjoys a close working relationship with all sister agencies and regularly conducts joint operations and information sharing with these agencies. CANU remains resolute in the fight against drug trafficking in Guyana and will continue to pursue its mandate and support other sister agencies”.
A joint operation, assisted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on Saturday resulted in the seizure of 4,400 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at €176 million or more than US$200 million at locations just off of an illegal airstrip at Matthews Ridge in Region One (Barima-Waini) said to be one of largest here.
The drugs were destroyed on location, but samples were taken as investigations continue.
“The operation was driven by intelligence regarding illegal flights into Guyana and was supported by information shared with the DEA and other international partners,” CANU said in a statement on Sunday.
