AFC’s Reg 10 MP, farmer busted with over 680 lbs of ganja at Bamia

– farmer claims ownership, MP resigns from Tourism Committee

Member of Parliament for the Alliance for Change (AFC), 39-year-old Devin Sears, and 69-year-old farmer Albert Sandy were intercepted on Monday evening with over 600 pounds of ganja at Bamia along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
Police stated that on the day in question, at about 20:41h, a team of Police ranks was on mobile patrol duties in the vicinity of the Old Bamia Police Checkpoint in Linden when they intercepted a dark blue Toyota Hiace minibus, bearing registration number BAJ 4486, registered to the Region 10 Tourism Committee Inc.
At the time of the exercise, the vehicle was driven by Sears, an educator and political activist from Mackenzie, Linden, with Sandy, a farmer from Tacama Waterfront, Upper Berbice River, in the front passenger seat.

During the stop, Police stated that Sears began to act in a suspicious manner and was sweating profusely. However, one of the ranks reported asking Sears what he was transporting, to which he allegedly replied, “I am transporting tourism plants.”
As such, he was instructed to pull to the side of the road and was informed that a search would be conducted on the vehicle. During the search, 22 black plastic bags and four large brown canvas bags were found inside the vehicle, which, when inspected, contained cannabis.

Sears and Sandy were arrested, during which Sears remained silent, and Sandy admitted ownership of the 310.7 kilograms of ganja, stating that the drugs belonged to him and that he had paid Sears to transport him to Parika.
Both remain in Police custody pending further investigations.
Meanwhile, the Region 10 Tourism Committee Inc. (RTTC) on Tuesday stated that its Vice Chairman, Sears has tendered his resignation pending the investigation.
The committee stated that that it had been made aware of issues involving Sears but reiterates that the committee was not involved.

“We unequivocally state that we have no association with the alleged actions of Mr. Sears. While Mr. Devin Sears is a member of the RTTC, his actions in this matter are personal and unrelated to the committee’s mission of promoting eco-tourism and regional development in Region 10,” a statement from the RTTC read.
In addition, the committee noted that it is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and promoting tourism in the region, adding that it will issue a further statement after consulting with members of the Guyana Police Force to gain a clearer understanding of the events that transpired.