Investigations into CANUs corruption claim completed

The inquiry into allegations of a smuggling ring at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has been

completed and was on Friday handed over to State Minster Joseph Harmon.
The allegations of corruption at CANU surfaced when self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram, in an interview with HGPTV Nightly News Anchor Travis Chase, alleged that a number of officers within the anti-narcotics agency were integral in the facilitation of drug trafficking in Guyana.
However, upon hearing of these allegations, President David Granger launched an investigation into the accusations.
Brigadier Bruce Lovell was appointed to head the investigation.
Lovell in launching the probe revealed the seriousness of the allegations made against officials of the State.
After completing the two-month investigation and handing over the report on Monday, Lovell noted that Government will find favour with the recommendations, as well as the conclusions and will take the necessary actions.
Meanwhile, after accepting the report, Minister Harmon stated that the probe was launched even amidst opposition.
“It is important for us to have these inquiries done… that is what we do; we get to the bottom of things, we get the facts and then we deliberate on it and the actions taken subsequently are actions, which are to be taken by the State,” he said.
The report will be presented to the President and a copy will be handed over to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan.
Meanwhile, Dataram along with three others are facing drug trafficking charges, which alleged that on 16 April, 2015, at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara, they had 129.23kg of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
On the day in question, as was disclosed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Telford, ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit acting on information, entered the premises of the defendants and conducted a search in their presence.
During the search, the illegal drugs were discovered.
After being charged, Dataram told of a major drug network which exists at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport where CANU Officers are involved in smuggling drugs in and out of Guyana.
The self-confessed drug dealer also alleged that there is massive corruption at CANU, with drug lords giving money to facilitate the elaborate lifestyle of officers at the counter-narcotics unit in exchange for protection, and information on raids.