Over 2000kg of cocaine intercepted in rice, chemical shipments from Guyana

– likely contaminated in transhipment process – CANU

Two separate containers containing rice and chemicals shipped from Guyana were intercepted in Belgium and Colombia with over 2000 kilograms (kg) of cocaine, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) reported on Thursday.
The drug enforcement body confirmed that these shipments were thoroughly inspected before they departed Guyana’s waters, and at that time, no anomalies or irregularities were detected.
However, preliminary information indicates that the containers were transhipped en route to their final destinations, and as such, CANU stated that it is highly likely that the consignments were contaminated during that process.
The unit, in a release, stated that “This method of exploiting transhipment points to introduce illicit narcotics is a known tactic used by transnational drug trafficking networks seeking to circumvent security measures at ports of origin.”
CANU is currently collaborating closely with its international counterparts as investigations continue. Speaking with the Guyana Times, Director of the Unit, James Singh, related that given the sensitive nature of the ongoing enquiries, further details cannot be disclosed at this time.
“We have been notified of seizures, and we continue to work with the authorities in their territories to examine where the containers were contaminated… We are 110% sure that the containers were rigorously inspected through various means before they left their respective ports… Based on this, we are certain that the drugs were placed into the containers when the ship docked at one of their stops…” Singh explained.
He reiterated the importance of international, regional, and local collaborations to prevent Guyana from becoming a narco-state.
“We have been working with the Guyana Defence Force to dismantle illegal airstrips and teaming up with US, UK, and Caribbean counterparts for major cocaine seizures… Our success rests on cooperation and constant adaptation to shifting drug routes,” he added.
He also pointed to multilateral anti-drug forums and operations such as the Seaport Cooperation Programme, the Trans-Regional Intelligence Group, and the United Nations-World Customs Organisation Container Control Programme, which have yielded success for the unit.
On this note, in 2025, Operation ZUES saw CANU collaborate with 31 countries for 51 joint interdictions, destroying 31 illegal airstrips and seizing 3.5 tonnes of cocaine across the region.
In 2025, CANU seized over $443 million worth of illicit drugs following collaborative efforts with key national stakeholders, thus improving information sharing, joint operations, and coordinated responses to drug-related threats.
These include 235.9 kg of cocaine, 726.3 kg of cannabis, 674 grams (g) of ecstasy, 83 g of methamphetamine, and 9.16 g of cannabis products.
The estimated cost for the seized drugs is $433,973,770: $235.9 million worth of cocaine and $197.7 million worth of cannabis.
This shows that cocaine and cannabis remain the two dominant threats, representing the majority of trafficking attempts into and through Guyana.
Meanwhile, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit remains steadfast in its commitment to combating narcotics trafficking and strengthening cooperation with regional and international partners to dismantle criminal networks.
CANU added that it is actively collaborating with domestic law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Police Force, as part of the ongoing investigations into the recent discovery in Belgium and Colombia.