Tucville man jailed, fined $8.7M for narco trafficking

A Tucville, Georgetown man was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and fined $8.721 million after being found guilty of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Winston Hazel appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday last in relation to the possession of 5.814 kilograms of cocaine.
The case stemmed from a March 2022 operation conducted by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in the Guyhoc Park, Tucville area. During the operation, CANU officers intercepted a motor car with two occupants and carried out a search of the vehicle.
The search led to the discovery of five parcels of cocaine concealed inside the car. The narcotics were taken to CANU Headquarters, where tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine weighing 5.814 kilograms.
At the time of the arrest in 2022, Hazel and a 43-year-old resident of the Guyana Defence Force Housing Scheme, West Ruimveldt, were charged for the narcotics trafficking.
CANU had reported that the cocaine carried a street value of approximately $6.5 million.
In 2024, Hazel who was out on bail for the narcotics charge, was shot multiple times in Tucville, Georgetown.
Police said the incident occurred around 19:07h on February 14, 2024 when Hazel was returning home from D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown in his motorcar, PRR 3310.
According to reports, as he stopped and turned into his entrance, west of his house, two men, wearing hoodies, approached on a black XR motorcycle and stopped a short distance from him.
They then got off the motorcycle, pulled out two handguns, and discharged several rounds at him, while he was in the car.
After being shot, Hazel exited the car and ran into his yard, calling out to his reputed wife, a 37-year-old teacher. The suspects continued to discharge rounds at him after which they rode off on the motorcycle.
Hazle sustained 12 gunshot wounds, three to his left abdomen, three to each thigh, two to his left hand, and one to his right hand.
He was rushed to a city hospital where he underwent surgery.