Anti-trafficking operation screens 77 foreign nationals in G/Town; firearms, drugs seized at Linden

A joint anti-trafficking operation carried out in Georgetown late Saturday night has triggered an ongoing investigation into suspected Trafficking in Persons (TIP) activities while hours later, a separate operation in Linden resulted in the discovery of firearms, ammunition and more than four kilograms (kg) of suspected cannabis.
It was reported that between 22:15h on Saturday and 00:03h on Sunday, a coordinated exercise was conducted at a building located at the corner of Charlotte and Albert Streets, Georgetown, following information received by law enforcement authorities. The operation involved ranks from the TIP Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, supported by personnel from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit.

During the exercise, 77 Cuban nationals, comprising both men and women, were contacted and screened for indicators of trafficking. Several individuals reported that they travelled to Guyana under credit arrangements and claimed that their travel documents were being held pending repayment. These allegations are now forming part of the ongoing investigation. Following the screening process, the foreign nationals were handed over to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for further assessment and assistance. A search of the premises was conducted; however, no illegal items were found and no arrests were made. Investigations remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, hours later, at about 01:30h on Sunday, a separate operation in Regional Division #10 led to the discovery of firearms, ammunition and suspected narcotics at a residence in Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden. Acting on information received, ranks conducted a search of a motor lorry parked in the yard of the residence. During the search, a haversack was found behind the driver’s seat containing several parcels of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. Further checks resulted in the discovery of three 9mm pistols and nine .32 rounds of ammunition concealed among the suspected narcotics. A 42-year-old businesswoman of Central Amelia’s Ward was arrested and taken into custody. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male driver from Bamia, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, at his residence. The suspected cannabis was weighed in the presence of the suspects and amounted to 4.536 kg. The firearms, ammunition and narcotics were later lodged pending further investigation.
Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.