By Nakasia Logan
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking operation, confiscating and destroying over four tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 176 million Euros.
The operation took place at Matthews Ridge, Region One, and sends a clear message of the government’s commitment to fighting the drug trade.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, credited the success of this operation to interagency collaboration, noting that it marks one of the largest cocaine seizures on land in Guyana.
The interagency effort, led by CANU and supported by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), had been closely monitoring illegal airstrips in the area for months.
CANU Director James Singh explained that the cocaine was found in four hidden pits, camouflaged and spread across different locations in the jungle.
The operation revealed that several camps were being used to house five to ten individuals at various points in the area.
Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Sheldon Howell, emphasized the significance of interagency cooperation, intelligence sharing, and long-term efforts in combating drug trafficking.
He underscored the importance of continuous capacity building, both in human resources and equipment, to maintain the momentum of these efforts.
The 4.4 tonnes of cocaine, believed to have originated from a neighboring country and destined for Europe, represents a major blow to the drug trafficking networks operating in the region.
One suspect is currently in custody, with others still at large. The US Drug Enforcement Agency was also involved in overseeing the joint efforts of CANU and the GDF.