Five arrested as over 1000kg in ganja seized by CANU

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) arrested five persons on Tuesday and seized a total of 1, 992 kg of marijuana during two separate operations.

On Tuesday, CANU Officers conducted an operation on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown and intercepted two motor vehicles.

A subsequent search of both motor vehicles in the presence of the drivers resulted in the discovery of a quantity of cannabis.

The drivers – Franklin Beresford, 33, of Durban Street, Lodge and Shawn Welch, 48, of Castello Housing Scheme, La Penitence were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters.

The narcotics found in motor vehicle (PZZ 3119) consisted of six parcels weighing a total 1, 946 kg, and the narcotics found in the other vehicle (PAC 8606) weighed 522 grammes.

Further investigations resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects, Shem Rishton, Kevin Barrow, and Quincy Punch.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday CANU conducted an operation at Dukestown, East Berbice Corentyne where three men were observed fleeing, leaving behind two brown salt bags with 46.2 kg of marijuana.

Investigations are ongoing.