Increased narco incidents recorded in Region 2 – crime unit

There has been an increase in drug related incidents in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) for 2017, as compared to last year. This is according to head of the crime unit in G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands), Fazal Mohammed.
Mohammed made the observation at the unveiling of the Division’s Christmas plans for the upcoming festive season. Mohammed during his presentation in the boardroom of the Richard Faikall Police Station, said it is the intention of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to reduce crime during the season.
In doing so, the CID within the Division intends to increase patrolling, roadblocks and raids. Speaking on the increased trafficking of narcotics on the Essequibo Coast, Mohammed said there were 29 cases for possession of the illegal substance and 26 cases for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Six persons were charged for smoking cannabis. In total for 2017, 61 persons were before the court for trafficking in narcotics and 24 persons were convicted.
Statistics have shown that in 2016, 766.7 grams of cannabis was found in the region while in 2017, 14.971 kg were found – an increase of interdiction. With respect to cocaine, 563.1 grams was found in 2016 while 5.082.5 kg was found so far for 2017.
He said Police from the Division were able to catch some of the traffickers due to constant roadblocks, intelligence gathering, as well as profiling of known characters.