A 53-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, both of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were arrested on Wednesday after Police found 6,000 marijuana plants, 150 grams of cannabis, eight live 16-gauge cartridges and three 20-gauge empty shells at Bartica Village in Berbice.
The farm that was found
It was reported that a party of Policemen from the Central Police Station carried out an intelligence-led operation at the areas where the farm and the other items were discovered.
Police have since said that a plot of land measuring about an acre was planted with the 6000 marijuana plants, ranging in height from six inches to 12 inches.
A search was also conducted on a camp on the land, and two males were arrested.
The ammunition
Further searches were conducted, and several rounds of ammunition were found.
The cannabis plants and camp were destroyed by fire, while the suspects and other articles were escorted to the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam.
The cannabis, three 20-gauge shotgun empty shells and the eight live 16-gauge cartridges were lodged as investigations continue.
Only a few days ago, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) divisional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter, during the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF’s) weekly programme “Police and You”, stated it is a crime to cultivate marijuana in Guyana, and once caught, persons will face the brunt of the law.
The camp that was found on the ganja farm
“Chapter 35:11 part two 8 (1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act states: any person who cultivates any prohibited plants, or being the owner, occupier or concerned in the management of any land or other premises to be used for purpose of the cultivation, gathering or production of any prohibited plant, shall be liable, on summary conviction…no less than $15,000 nor more than $30,000, with imprisonment …on conviction…a fine of no less than $30,000 or three times market value, along with imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than ten years”, the Commander said. (G9)
