A total of 761.28 kilogrammes (1678.3 pounds) of cannabis was seized by the Guyana Police Force this year, representing the largest quantity of cannabis seized within the last five years in the country.
This was disclosed by the Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement) (ag) of the Police Force Wendell Blanhum during the launching of the Force’s Christmas Policing Plan on Tuesday at the Officers’ Mess Hall, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
Blanhum noted that daily inspections were carried out at cargo and passenger terminals, ports of entry, and border locations where checkpoints were established throughout the year which resulted in the seizure.
This also resulted in the third-highest seizure of cocaine over the five years with in excess of 293.4 kg (646.8 pounds) being seized for the year 2022. The highest was seized in the year 2021 and amounted to 536 kg (1, 181.6 pounds).
Meanwhile, the Crime Chief further revealed that the year 2022 saw a 19 percent decrease in serious crimes for the period of January 1 to November 13, when compared to the same period last year.
There were 331 less serious crimes recorded for this year when compared to 2021; break and enter and larceny, the most prevalent offence in Guyana, saw a 23 percent reduction for the year 2022 as compared to the previous year.
Thus far, 108 murders have been recorded for the year, the lowest recorded over ten years.
This year also saw the lowest number of reported robberies; there were 1,022 fewer robberies than in the year 2013.
A total of 68 illegal firearms were recovered by the Police Force this year.
Meanwhile, Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ or Georgetown saw the highest rate of firearm seizure and revolvers, accounting for the most common type of firearms recovered; this was followed by shotguns.
Blanhum also noted that several effective crime-fighting strategies were implemented throughout the year, namely, the use and handling of confidential informants, intelligence-led operations, anti-crime patrols, roadblocks, and collaboration with communities, among other things.
The Crime Chief noted that there are still many challenges the Force faces, namely, a high rate of recidivism, poor quality of CCTV images obtained at crime scenes, porous borders, police corruption and capacity issues.
