Over $2B in marijuana destroyed

Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday destroyed over $2 billion worth in marijuana which were seized during operations over the past year.

The destruction exercise took place at the former Ministry of Housing tarmac on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

In total, the Police Force destroyed 2,253 kilograms of marijuana, worth approximately $2,028,240,000.

CANU destroyed 512 kilograms of the illegal drugs, which carried a street value of $153 million.

Altogether, the narcotics destroyed were confiscated during operations carried out by both agencies from January 2023 to date.

In providing a breakdown, the police said the majority of the seizures occurred in police divisions 5 and 6, which covers the Mahaicony area all the way up to Berbice.

There were also “minor” seizures in Regions 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

And coming out of these operation, several persons were charged and placed before the court.

Speaking to members of the media following the exercise, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn pointed out that Guyana is still working to build its capacity in the fight against drug trafficking.

“We acknowledge that there is still a way to go to get to the point where we can fully deal with issues coming out or marijuana possession,” Benn said.

He emphasized that persons who are found in possession of narcotics, regardless of the quantity, will be penalized.

“Our position is that the possession of drugs, even in small quantities is illegal,” the security minister said.

Specifically highlighting the use of narcotics by youths, Benn said this remains an issue of concern for the authorities.

“The very act of smoking a spliff in public exemplifies defiance and ignoring proper relationship within the communities, respect for the rule of law and for good development within the communities,” he said.

Saturday’s exercise was witnessed by Benn, officer-in-charge of the Police Narcotics branch, Troy Whittaker, CANU Head James Singh and other officials from both agencies.