One busted over 30 cases of smuggled rum in Lethem

…looses vicious dogs on CANU ranks

A joint operation between the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has resulted in the arrest of one person after a quantity of smuggled alcohol was seized.
The operation was conducted at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Thursday.

Based on reports received, a total of 30 cases of Black Stone Whisky, four cases of Skarloff Beers and nine cases of Blend Seven Whiskey were smuggled into Lethem from Brazil.
CANU Head James Singh when contacted explained that based on information received, agents swooped down on a location and observed goods being offloaded from a truck into a yard. Upon checking, the agents found rum.
As such, Singh added that a businessman was arrested as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the brother of the man who was arrested have since claimed that the items were not smuggled.
“We went with our truck to collect goods from another truck that brought the goods from Brazil… we offloaded the stuff right in front of the GRA officials and paid the necessary duty… next thing we reach home and CANU agents breached the gate and come into the yard with big guns scaring the children,” the man related.
When questioned about the alcohol, he told Guyana Times that it was for personal consumption when the family has its “small get-together”. He noted that alcohol had to pass two checkpoints before it reached Lethem.
Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that as the CANU agents arrived at the location, the owners loosed their dogs with the intention of having them attack the ranks. But a round was discharged to ward off the animals.