Illegal drugs destroyed; seized planes to be used for local operations

Ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force Saturday morning destroyed a large quantity of illegal narcotics which included cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy.

The destroyed narcotics represent seizures that were made by the two law enforcement bodies.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn was on site to witness the destruction and explained that the narcotics are linked to cases that have already been completed in the courts.

“It’s a fairly regular exercise to destroy them,” he said.

According to Benn, two planes that were seized during these operations will also be used by the police and army for future operations here.

“Since I became minister there were successes at Nine Miles, Potaro, Orealla, up in the Kwakwani area … they relate to significant seizures and the capture of planes and persons,” Benn told the press.

He said the security agencies continue to monitor overflights with intelligence indicating that the occurrence is frequent in southern and northern Guyana.

That intelligence is shared with neighbouring countries, also resulting in the significant seizure of narcotics and the destruction of planes.

The Home Affairs Minister said attention will now have to be given on how cases are prosecuted here amid efforts to strengthen the witness protection programme.

Recognising that fear continues to exist among witnesses, Benn said it is understandable given that witnesses have been killed in the past.

“We had discussions with the DEA and we are upping the game,” he added.

Despite several arrests, there are reportedly several persons in Guyana who are suspected to be the main players in narcotics trafficking, Benn said.

“We are working on the problem,” he added as he promised support for strengthening the prosecutorial arm of the agencies.