Cocaine, cannabis found hidden in yard at Tabatinga

– Police suspect “Spanish nationals” link

A joint Police operation in Tabatinga, Lethem, Central Rupununi, on Friday, led to the discovery of a significant quantity of suspected cocaine and cannabis concealed in a fenced yard.

The intelligence-led exercise was conducted by a team led by a Chief Inspector, accompanied by two Inspectors, one Sergeant, and several ranks, who acted on specific information about illegal narcotics in the area.
According to Police reports, the team proceeded to a fenced property in Tabatinga where they observed a flat concrete house, which was locked at the time. A search of the yard was carried out, and several black plastic bags were found hidden beneath dry bushes near a garbage heap.
When the bags were opened, Police discovered numerous green and white Ziploc packets containing a whitish, rock-like substance suspected to be cocaine, along with other packets containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.
The suspected narcotics were taken to the Lethem Police Station, where they were processed and weighed. The suspected cocaine amounted to 1245 Ziploc bags weighing 435.5 grams (g), while the suspected cannabis totalled 74 zip-lock bags weighing 68.6 g.
Both quantities were sealed, marked, and lodged as exhibits.
Investigators have since received information suggesting that “Spanish nationals” normally occupy the residence where the drugs were found. Police canvassed the area for CCTV footage but reported that none was available. No arrest has been made so far, and investigations are continuing.
This latest bust comes just days after a major four-day anti-narcotics operation in the Upper Berbice River led to the destruction of more than $5 million worth of cannabis, the seizure of two firearms, and other items.
That operation, conducted in the Ebini Savannahs and Wiruni areas, uncovered several large cannabis farms and makeshift camps, including one with more than 5000 cannabis seedlings. Police also recovered a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun, a .32 pistol, and several pounds of dried cannabis during the raid.
The Guyana Police Force said both operations form part of its continued nationwide crackdown on the cultivation, trafficking, and possession of illegal drugs.