Ganja, guns, ammo in barrels at GT wharf: Surge in high-potency ganja entering Guyana from North America – CANU Head warns

A joint operation between the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday intercepted some $71 million in imported cannabis along with the guns and ammunition.
The discovery was made at the Muneshwers Wharf in Georgetown inside of two barrels that originated from the United States of America (USA).
Based on reports, CANU and GRA agents, acting on information received, searched the two incoming barrels, during which they found 71 transparent parcels containing foreign cannabis weighing 37.2 kilograms with a street value of $71 million. Additionally, three pistols and 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition were also found in the barrels.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday morning about the discovery, Director of CANU, James Singh, explained that there has been an increase in marijuana laced with higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) coming from North America as well as other countries in the region.

“This is not something new. We would’ve spoken about it before where marijuana with what we call a higher THC, coming from other regions – within South America as well as North America. We’ve seen cases with it being imported through the airport and in barrels. In this instance, we’ve seen it come with several high-powered weapons – rifles and pistols,” he stated.
Already, several persons have been arrested and are assisting with the joint investigation being carried out by CANU and GRA along with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) – the white-collar arm of the Guyana Police Force – and other agencies that are working to prevent the entry of illicit drugs concealed in cargo and other shipments.
According to Singh, CANU has been observing the smuggling of marijuana from North America for some time now.
“It’s been [happening] for a while… In some cases, the marijuana is labelled as medicinal marijuana. So, we’ve seen it come from North America into Guyana – [it] has a higher THC. Some of it is consumed here, and others are transhipped out of Guyana,” the CANU Head noted.
Nevertheless, the law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to strengthening security measures and ensuring that Guyana’s borders remain protected against drug trafficking.

Cocaine seized through Venezuela, requests unanswered
But despite the increase in the smuggling of this specific grade of marijuana from North America into Guyana, the CANU Director pointed out, however, that the majority of the drugs, especially cocaine, that are seized here come from neighbouring Venezuela.
“Most of narcotics we found are persons from Venezuela. The evidence shows that it would have come through Venezuela. Where it would’ve originated from, we have no idea, but the last place before it entered Guyana was Venezuela, and several persons arrested were Venezuelan nationals… I would say 90 per cent of drugs that we have seized – cocaine, has been originated from Venezuela,” he indicated.
According to the CANU Head, his agency has been reaching out to counterparts in Venezuela to curb this illicit trade but to no avail.
“There are persons in Venezuela who we would’ve reached out to for information. Unfortunately, that information has not been forthcoming. So, all we can do in the meantime is work with the local counterparts – the Police, the Guyana Defence Force, and other agencies – to strengthen our current systems,” Singh posited.
In fact, he pointed to Tuesday’s discovery by CANU and GRA agents as an example of these enhanced collaborative efforts working.
“The marijuana discovered at the wharf…was an example of shipment coming into Guyana. So, the fact that we were able to detect it is an indication that law enforcement is doing what they’re supposed to do at the necessary ports of entry,” he stated.
Meanwhile, CANU’s increased successes in drug seizures have put Singh in the limelight, with several threats being made against him by suspected criminal groups from Venezuela. According to James, they continue to work with overseas counterparts to identify the source of these threats.
“We’re still working with our international counterparts because this threat originated outside of Guyana. Based on the information that we got, it’s a Spanish group, we suspect, out of Venezuela, so we’re working with our counterparts. Unfortunately, we don’t have that sort of communication we’d want with Venezuela as we have with other countries, but we’re sharing some information with counterparts here and in the region, and we’re doing our best to at least get to the bottom of it or dissuade them from trying,” Singh told reporters on Wednesday.
Only last week, Caribbean leaders, following the 51st Caricom Head of Governance Conference, had called on the Venezuelan government to arrest and prosecute those individuals in the neighbouring country who have been attacking Guyanese military, as well as civilians, traversing along the Cuyuni River, which borders the two South American nations.
Back in May, at least two GDF officers were shot and injured in separate incidents after coming under hostile fire from the Venezuelan side while performing duties in the waterways.