More than 2,000 sharp objects seized from passengers at CJIA in 2021

International Safety Regulations stipulate that passengers are not permitted to travel with certain items in their cabin bags when boarding an airplane.

But this still happens as some 2,039 sharp objects were confiscated from passengers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) last year.

According to the CJIA’s end of year report, the objects seized included knives, scissors, needles, razors and nail files. And these items are just a fraction of what the customs team at the airport intercept every day.

The report outlined too that 4,361 liquid items were also seized along with 5,743 powdered items, including curry powder and masala.

“The item may be disposed or the passenger can request to collect the item on their return to Guyana [but] these items cannot be placed in the passenger’s cabin bag,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir explained to the News Room recently.

He explained that passengers who are found with firearms or ammunition are detained and handed over to the police for further investigation.

And even with the list of over 100 prohibitive items on display monitors throughout the Departure Terminal, the CEO expressed worry that persons still carry the items.

But the international airport has been working to beef up security to decrease those numbers. Just last year, over $400 million in security equipment was procured for the country’s main port of entry which includes explosive trace detectors, hand baggage scanners and an explosive detection system.

Additionally, according to the report, CJIA enhanced its CCTV system and is awaiting the procurement of an inline baggage system as part of ongoing efforts to modernize the facility.