CANU seized nearly 1,500 lbs of drugs worth $213M at half-year

The Customs Anti- Narcotic Unit (CANU) seized 667.4 kilogrammes (or about 1,471 pounds) of various narcotics between January and June of this year, based on statistics detailed in its mid-year report.

And those narcotics, altogether, have a street value of about $213.5 million.

Overall, 662.4 kg of cannabis were seized while 14.8 kg of cocaine, 10 grammes of hashish and 90 grammes of ecstasy were seized.

CANU said the cannabis seized is worth $198.7 million while the cocaine is worth $14.8 million.

A majority of the seizures were from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica) and Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne).

Notably, the drugs seized in the first half of 2023 are far lower than those seized last year. For the same period last year, 2,106.58 kilogrammes (or about 4,644 pounds) of narcotics were seized.

Beyond narcotics, CANU also seized four firearms and 1,087 rounds of ammunition in the first six months of the year; three 12-gauge shotguns and one pistol were seized.

And from the seizure of the narcotics, guns and ammunition, CANU arrested 56 persons (47 men and nine women). In total, the Unit handled 30 cases and managed to secure 27 convictions so far.