Jamaican busted with 100lbs cocaine in container from Guyana

Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) is probing the discovery of some million worth of cocaine in a 20-foot container that was shipped to Jamaica from Guyana.

Based on reports the Jamaican Narcotics Branch on Wednesday discovered over 100 pounds of cocaine in the container shipped to that country from Guyana. A Jamaican has since been arrested by the Jamaican Police.

Moreover, the Jamaican authorities have since informed CANU about the incident and investigations have been launched.

According to additional information, the cocaine was concealed in 48 parcels in a bag in the container which was found on Savannah Avenue in Kingston. The narcotics reportedly carry a combined weight of 52.65 kilograms. The estimated street value is US$474, 000 or J$60.2 million.

Guyana Times understands that the container was filled with a shipment of rice which was checked and sealed by the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). However, it is presumed that the cocaine was slipped into the container after the checks by GRA.

Head of CANU, James Singh, when contacted on Thursday evening, confirmed that they were asked to assist in the probe and have been in contact with their counterparts in Jamaica.

Both CANU and GRA are working on the matter and are tracing the process followed by officers who had responsibility for checking and clearing the container.

They are checking to see if there were any breaches of the standard operating procedures or the security regimen in place at the port of exit and the wharf.