Guyana’s law clearly states ganja planting is an offence – Commander
Praise has been given to Police ranks of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) division by their Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter, for the drug interception and eradication exercises that have been ongoing in the region.
Raids on numerous ganja fields between Kwakwani and Mackenzie have been conducted from the beginning of 2021 to present, with millions worth of the illicit drug destroyed.
Region 10 Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter
On Tuesday, Commander Winter during a weekly Guyana Police Force (GPF) programme “Police and You” revealed, “… around 69,000 cannabis plants and 6500-odd dried cannabis for the year 2021 to date” were found and (some) destroyed through information the division had received.
He assured that his team has been working around the clock to ensure the safety of the region with continuous eradication exercises.
With regard to questions asked by members of the public who were tuned in to the programme, the Commander lamented the fact that the GPF could only abide by the laws that are already in place, and that the anti-narcotic drug laws of Guyana deem cannabis to be one of the illicit drugs, hence it is illegal to carry out cultivation of these plants.
A drug eradication exercise in Region 10
Chapter 35:11 part two 8 (1) of the Narcotics 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.”
On June 25, there were peaceful protests by the Rastafarian council in front of the office of Guyana’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall over the Marijuana Bill. The AG has since informed the group of the necessary procedures that are being taken in an attempt to amend the laws that are currently in place (since 1988), in urging the group to be patient. He assured the group that an opportunity to meet with the Parliamentary Select Committee would be granted whereby they would be able to voice their concerns with regard to the marijuana plant that is said to be used for religious purposes by the Rastafarian community. He also advised the group that until that amendment has been passed, the laws remained the same.
