The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has intercepted over $3 billion in narcotics for 2024, compared to just over $1.2 billion in 2023.
Statistics seen by Guyana Times have shown that a total of 5094 kilograms of cocaine have so far been intercepted in 2024, and that has a street value of $5.094 billion. In 2023, CANU had seized some 75 kilograms of this illegal drug.
In relation to cannabis, a total of 1598.8 kilograms have so far been seized, while 0.056 kilograms of methamphetamine have also been intercepted. The combined value of the seizures of these two drugs is approximately $500 million. CANU has said that if these drugs had reached their intended destinations, the value would have been tripled.
Director of CANU, James Singh
In addition, CANU has confiscated 23 weapons and 290 rounds of ammunition during various operations conducted throughout the country. These include two shotguns, 10 pistols, three submachine guns, and eight rifles. The ammunition seized varied in calibre, with the most being 112 rounds of 9mm, followed by 45 rounds of 7.62mm.
For 2023, CANU had seized eight weapons and 1511 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier in the year, CANU Director James Singh told the media that CANU is making significant strides in combatting illegal drugs, and this has resulted in the drug trade being dented both locally and internationally.
According to Singh, measures being implemented are making it more difficult for narcotics to be transported.
“What we’re doing here in Guyana is making an impact (on) the drug trade…The fact that we have seized a lot more drugs destined for overseas, be it marijuana and cocaine in different regions of the country, is an indication that the systems we have in place are working. Especially (so), the partnerships that we have with local law enforcement agencies here in Guyana (are) making a difference,” Singh had stated.
He said further that CANU had assisted in operations conducted overseas that had led to the confiscation of narcotics being transported from Latin America and the Caribbean region.
“This is a demonstration that our role in the narcotics fight — not just here in Guyana, but internationally — is making a significant impact,” he has emphasised.
The CANU head has attributed the unit’s success to support provided by the Home Affairs Ministry, and by extension the Government, as well as through partnerships with local and international law enforcement agencies.
In 2023, CANU cleared approximately 1363.28 kilograms of narcotics, consisting of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and hashish totalling $461.5 million in value. Cannabis was the most confiscated drug, accounting for 94 per cent of the total narcotics seized for the year. Approximately 73 separate seizures had been done, amounting to 1,287.88 kilograms.
There were 18 seizures of cocaine, amounting to 75.17 kilogrammes; three seizures of ecstasy, totalling 0.124 kilograms; and one seizure of hashish, amounting to 0.102 kilogram.
The seized cannabis was valued at $386.3 million, while the cocaine was valued at $475.1 million.
