A narcotics eradication exercise conducted by ranks of Regional Division Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) has resulted in the destruction of thousands of marijuana plants in a community along the Kamuni Creek, West Bank Demerara.
According to the police, acting on intelligence received, a team conducted the operation on Wednesday between 15:00h and 18:00h, and an area known as ‘Kabrall’ Landing was targeted for a search.
The ganja farm that was set on fire by police
During that search, ranks discovered a trail about two miles south of the landing, and it led them to an open area covering approximately one acre, wherein police found an abandoned camp that had clothing, a hammock, pesticides, and pipelines. A further inspection revealed between 4,000 and 6,000 marijuana plants measuring between three and seven feet in height.
The plants were uprooted, placed in a heap, and burned on site, along with the camp and its contents.
In 2024, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) seized and destroyed some 6,700 kilograms (kg) of narcotics, as was highlighted by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn during his Ministry’s year end press conference.
The minister noted that due to ramped up inspections and investigations by CANU, a significant number of illegal substances were seized last year.
He added that of the 6,000 kg of substances confiscated, cocaine accounted for more than 90 per cent of the findings, followed by cannabis and methamphetamine respectively. Those drugs amounted to some $5.6 billion.
“There was indeed dramatic findings, discovery, recovery and destruction by the unit of some 6000 kilograms of narcotics of all kinds. Cocaine was 5094.67 kilograms. Much of it the big bust in the North West; and for cannabis, 1643.45 kilograms and methamphetamine 92 grams…So, we have had a dramatic increase in the cocaine seizures and also in relation to the work against drug trafficking, drug growing the cannabis,” the minister has said.
This is a significant increase when compared to the 1363 kilograms of narcotics netted in 2023.
For the year 2024, a total of 71 cases were made in regard to illegal substances, for which there were 82 arrests. This is a decrease from the previous year, wherein there were 93 cases made. Moreover, for last year, there were 54 charges laid in relation to drug trafficking. However, 11 of those charges were either withdrawn or dismissed.
Meanwhile, last year, following the massive drug bust at the clandestine airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini), the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has disclosed that the cocaine found amounted to some 4.4 tonnes, with a street value of some €176 million (G$40.7 billion).
The narcotics, which were found hidden in several bunkers around the illegal airstrip near Matthew’s Ridge, were destroyed after samples were extracted for further investigation. This operation was a collaboration between the local Joint Services and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Law enforcement officials believe the drugs were brought to Guyana from neighbouring country/ countries, and were stored until further transshipment to Europe.
