Over 2.4 Kg of marijuana found near Mazaruni Prison

Police in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are investigating the discovery of over 2,400 grams of marijuana near the Mazaruni Prison, following a tip-off that led prison officials to a hidden stash believed to have been intended for smuggling into the facility. According to reports, the discovery was made on Sunday, at approximately 10:30h, after the Officer-in-Charge of the Mazaruni Prison received a phone call from an unidentified caller. The caller allegedly informed him that narcotic had been dropped off near the Solar Farm area within the prison compound, with the aim of smuggling it into the facility.

Acting on the information, the Officer-in-Charge dispatched a Prison Officer to conduct checks around the location. Between 10:35h and 11:15h, while searching an area about 100 feet west of the Solar Farm, and roughly 300 feet from the Mazaruni River, the officer stumbled upon two multi-coloured haversacks, bearing a distinct ‘Bob Marley design’, hidden among thick vegetation ranging from one to five feet in height.
Upon opening the bags, the officer discovered 14 bulky parcels containing what appeared to be leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. He immediately reported the find to his superior, who then contacted the Bartica Police Station.
Police ranks responded and took possession of the two haversacks. A further search conducted by police revealed that the bags contained 17 bulky parcels in total. Additionally, two pairs of slippers were found inside, each with unusually thick soles. When officers examined the soles more closely, they discovered four transparent parcels concealed inside, also containing suspected cannabis.
The entire haul was weighed in the presence of the Prison Officer and amounted to a total of 2,432.8 grams of cannabis. The narcotics were placed in a transparent evidence bag, sealed, marked, and lodged at the Bartica Police Station as part of the ongoing investigation.

No arrests have been made as yet, and authorities continue to pursue leads into who may have been responsible for dropping off the narcotics. Statements were taken from the responding officers, and both prison and police officials are working jointly to determine how close the smugglers may have come to breaching the secure perimeter. Investigations are ongoing.
Only a few months ago, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) found 1,048 grams of marijuana along with other prohibited items during a police raid at the Mazaruni Prison. According to a press statement the raid was conducted from 06:00h and 09:15h in the Sibley Hall section of the prison. Police reported that 15 officers conducted the raid, when they found 15 plastic bags containing 1048.1 grams of suspected cannabis, 40 improvised weapons, 29 lighters, four scissors, two pocket knives, and two cellular phones.
Also, in January, prison officer Walter Benn was arrested and later sentenced to two years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking 856 grams of marijuana. The drugs were discovered in Ensure bottles during a routine search at the Mazaruni Prison gate as Benn returned to duty. Further searches led to more marijuana being found in his quarters and residence.
Three others, Benn’s reputed wife, Tecina Angel Willis (a firewoman), Melissa Allen (a vendor), and Rhon Smith (a construction worker), were also charged in connection with the scheme. They pleaded not guilty and were each granted $80,000 bail.
Police investigations revealed a chain of distribution involving the trio, culminating in the recovery of additional drugs and cell phones hidden in bushes near Smith’s home. The case is ongoing.