Police on Wednesday destroyed four cultivated marijuana farms which were discovered at Ebini, Upper Berbice River, and later arrested a cattle rancher.
Police Headquarters in a statement noted that the farms had 600lbs of Cannabis Sativa, estimated to value G$680.6M, along with 10,000 marijuana plants ranging from three inches to five feet in height.
The police also seized a12-gauge shotgun, 92 16-gauge cartridges, 15 12-gauge cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun, six motorcycles and a wooden boat.
According to the police, at the first farm, the ranks came under fire and so they returned fire.
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A search was conducted and a single barrel shotgun and a 12-gauge empty cartridge were found. Further searches were conducted and four bulky black plastic bags with a quantity of processed cannabis and kitchen utensils were found on a makeshift camp.
At the second farm, a quantity of processed cannabis and kitchen utensils were found, along with a makeshift camp. The third and fourth farms consisted of two makeshift camps and cannabis plants under cultivation. There were six motorcycles found. A wooden boat, which was left abandoned, was later claimed by the Toshao of Sand Hills, the police said.
Acting on information received, a search was conducted on the home of a cattle rancher and one unlicensed 12-gauge shotgun with 92 16-gauge cartridges and 15 12-gauge cartridges were found. He was arrested and escorted to Central Police Station, New Amsterdam and the firearm and cartridges lodged.
The camps, cannabis and farms were destroyed by fire.
