19 foreigners arrested after $14M worth in cannabis found onboard vessel at GNIC Wharf

Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) on Wednesday morning arrested 19 foreign nationals after 16.046 kg (36 lbs) of cannabis was discovered onboard a foreign vessel at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNIC) Wharf located at Lombard Street, Georgetown. CANU in a statement said the illegal drugs has a street value of approximately $14 million (US$68, 293).

“If this narcotic had reached its intended destination, its street value would have been much higher,” CANU said in its statement.

The vessel ‘Diego’ was scheduled to leave Port Georgetown Wednesday morning with a quantity of cement. CANU noted that the narcotic operation was conducted by officers from the Special Operations Section.

“Several parcels suspected to be cannabis were discovered throughout the vessel during this search. The vessel is foreign-registered, with a crew of 19 foreign nationals,” CANU stated.

This operation is part of an ongoing multi-agency and multi-national investigation aimed at dismantling a regional network involved in the movement of narcotics from Guyana using cargo vessels.