While there has been no charge in relation to the 4,400 kilogrammes cocaine bust at Matthews Ridge, Region 1 in September last year, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on Monday said that there have been local and overseas arrests in relation to the matter.
While he told reporters at a press conference that several persons were arrested overseas, the minister refused to disclose the country where the arrests were made. He said, however, that two persons were arrested locally and the questions of charges will be dealt with through the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) even as investigations continue.
“There were two arrests in relation locally, the persons were arrested but investigation still underway. There were a number of arrests overseas related to that one. I wouldn’t say the country or the area right now, but there were a number of arrests made in relation to that matter,” Benn said.
The bust was made during a joint operation involving the US Drug Enforcement Administra-tion (DEA), Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which resulted in 4,400 kilogrammes of cocaine in bunkers being unearthed in Matthews Ridge, Region 1.
Reporters were on hand on September 1st 2024, to witness lawmen fetching out the packaged cocaine from a bushy area just off of a makeshift airstrip in the area. According to information provided the cocaine, valued at 176 million Euros or more than US$200 million, was found in four separate pits just off the airstrip and said to be camouflaged with tarpaulin and bush and packaged in what appeared to be cardboard boxes which were then sealed in transparent plastic bags. The well-sealed and secured drugs were neatly packaged in parcels that weighed 1 kilogram each. The total amount was written with markers on the bags. The names of persons – presumably to be delivered to – were printed on the packages. Two rifles were also recovered during the exercise.
The suspects had makeshift camps and based on observations, they stayed at the location for long periods. The camps housed approximately five to ten persons at the different locations. The suspects even had a little garden with pepper and pumpkin plants.