The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) seized approximately 1363.28 kilograms of narcotics over the course of 2023, and cannabis sativa (ganja) has accounted for 94 percent of the total seizure.
Statistics provided by the agency on Thursday showed that, in the course of 73 separate operations, 1,287 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from 74 seizures.
From 18 operations conducted, 75.17 kilograms of cocaine were seized. Ecstasy and hashish seized accounted for respectively 0.12kg and 0.10kg, and they came from four operations.
A breakdown of the cannabis seized found that a staggering 796.4 kilograms were removed from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). This was followed by 309.7 kilograms from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 51 kilograms from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and 41 kilograms from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). Other areas accounted for the remainder of seizures in smaller proportions.
During the period under review, drugs confiscated by CANU carried a local street value of approximately $461.5 million. The narcotics seized for the period consisted of $75.1 million in cocaine and $386.3 million in cannabis.
A disaggregation of the data showed a total of 80 persons were arrested, comprising 70 males and 10 females. Some 54 persons were charged, and 47 convictions were secured. Of these arrested, 38 persons were predominantly within the 30-50 age bracket, while 33 were in the age bracket of 18-30 years. Meanwhile, eight firearms were seized during the last year, consisting of four pistols, three shotguns and one revolver.
Demand reduction
CANU has been actively participating in several demand reduction initiatives for 2023 through collaborative efforts with the Home Affairs Ministry, Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and sports groups.
Drug Awareness sessions conducted at schools throughout Guyana addressed the primary objective of deterring substance use or misuse among young individuals, and dissuading them from participating in unlawful activities, such as drug trafficking.
These sessions also focused on educating teachers about the various types of illicit substances, and ways of identifying same.
The Unit also engaged in multiple educational sessions with organisations that provide extracurricular activities, specifically focusing on sports as a means of offering constructive outlets for young individuals. Those sessions were intended to educate young individuals about the negative effects of drug use, and the perils associated with participating in illicit activities.
CANU also collaborated with other countries’ law enforcement agencies in 2023 to carry out several joint operations that resulted in the seizure of large amounts of illegal drugs.
Head of CANU, James Singh, has assured that the agency is committed to furthering and strengthening public outreach programmes and community partnerships, since those have been crucial in increasing awareness about the perils of drug usage.
“Through active participation in local communities and schools, we have not only educated the public, but also fostered a sense of unity and shared responsibility. The objective of these relevant demand reduction programmes is to decrease the consumption of illegal substances among teenagers and the younger demographic.
Recognizing the global nature of the drug trade, he added, CANU will fortify its collaboration with international partners in order to encourage coordinated efforts, which have proven instrumental in tackling transnational drug-related threats. (G12)
