“Evidence must meet legal threshold for prosecution” – CANU Head

…says legal safeguards guide drug enforcement unit

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Monday clarified that an arrest does not automatically translate into a criminal charge being instituted against suspects who were detained for drug-related offences. Statistics released by the drug enforcement unit showed that 117 persons were arrested, but only 62 persons were charged, bringing transparency and evidence-based enforcement into disrepute. However, CANU’s Director James Singh, reiterated that arrests are often made based on reasonable suspicion arising from operational circumstances, but formal charges can proceed only when the evidence meets the legal threshold for prosecution. He added that the Unit is obligated to uphold this standard to ensure fairness, due process and the integrity of its investigations. “Several of the individuals arrested were detained for questioning in multi-suspect operations, such as vehicle interceptions, searches and task-force raids, where not every person present is directly involved. These individuals are released once investigators verify their non-involvement,” Singh stated. Nevertheless, he further explained that in several cases, charging decisions depended on laboratory confirmation of suspected substances. “Where forensic analysis returned negative or inconclusive results, charges could not be legally supported. Additionally, minors or vulnerable individuals encountered during operations were handled in accordance with legal protocols and where appropriate, placed into the care of guardians or social-service authorities rather than being charged,” he added.
Moreover, he posited that CANU also follows the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who may recommend withholding charges where the available evidence does not meet prosecutorial standards or where additional investigative work is required. “The difference between arrests and charges therefore, reflects the proper functioning of legal safeguards, prosecutorial oversight and evidence-based policing rather than operational failure,” Singh noted.
On this note, the unit stated that it remains committed to professionalism, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights while carrying out its mandate to combat illicit drugs, guided by our national responsibilities. CANU reported that 117 arrests were made, with 62 persons being charged in 2025. A year-end performance report released on Monday revealed that the highest arrests, according to CANU, occurred in the months of April, May, July, and September. The unit secured 29 drug-related convictions during the year, with 14 for cocaine and 12 for cannabis, while three were convicted for ecstasy and cannabis products.
In addition, CANU collected a whopping $311 million in fines, while sentences extended up to four years depending on the quantity and trafficking intent.