CANU finds over 10 lbs cocaine during raids

Five men are currently in custody of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) after its ranks discovered some 10.796 pounds of cocaine during three separate operations on Tuesday.

In the first instance, CANU officers conducted an operation at Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara, where they intercepted a white motor car bearing license plate number HD 1446.
A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted in the presence of the two occupants, which led to the discovery of two brick like parcels – suspected to be cocaine. The occupants, 34-year-old Latchram Parmesh of Lot 1775 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, and 56-year-old Mohamed Yusuf Persaud of Lot 1088 Tuschen New Housing Scheme, EBE were both arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters.
The suspected narcotics tested positive for cocaine and had a total weight of 2.140 kilogrammes, with a street value of approximately $2.1 million.
Meanwhile, on the same day at Goed Fortune Public Road, West Bank Demerara, CANU ranks also intercepted a motor van, GAC 8942 and subsequently carried out a search. This search also led to the discovery of two brick like parcels of suspected cocaine.

The two occupants in that vehicle – 51-year-old William Mittelholzer of Lot 179 Republic Gardens, Georgetown, and 42-year-old Anthony Cadogan of Lot 84 Adelaide Street, Charlestown, Georgetown – were arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters along with the suspected cocaine.
The narcotics tested positive for cocaine, which weighed 2.174 kilogrammes – a street value of approximately $2.2 million.
Also on Tuesday, another group of CANU officers intercepted a motor car, bearing license plate number PXX 3869, on the Goedverwagting Public Road, East Coast Demerara.
A search of the vehicle was carried out but nothing was found. However, a subsequent search conducted on the driver, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, during which a quantity of suspected cocaine was unearthed hidden his pants crotch.
The suspect, 63-year-old Roy Thomas of Lot 188 Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara was arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters along with the suspected narcotics, which tested positive for cocaine. It had a total weight of 16.8 grammes.
CANU said investigations are ongoing in all three matters as the five suspects remain in custody.
In its Second Quarter Report for 2022, the Anti-Narcotics Unit revealed back in August that there was a reduction in narcotics seizures during the reporting period this year compared to last year. Between April and June, a total of 201.738 kilo grammes of narcotics were seized.
Cannabis continues to record the highest number of seizures as well as quantity with a total of 161.21kg netted by the Unit within the three months. This is followed by cocaine of which some 40.37 kg was seized and then by ecstasy which accounts for approximately 0.150 grammes.
According to the report, these narcotics seized between April and June amounted to approximately $206 million worth of illicit drugs removed from the drug market and taken off the streets.
Back in April, CANU had destroyed over 1,500kg (almost 3400 lbs) of cannabis valued over US$2 million that were seized in the previous year. (G8)