Following months of high-level surveillance and intelligence gathering, a Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU)-led operation, with support from the Guyana Defence Force Special Forces, has resulted in the seizure of several thousand kilograms of cocaine at an illegal airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini).
According to the information received, the drugs were buried in several underground bunkers close to the airstrip.
The bust was made after the gathering of intelligence by CANU and other local agencies on illegal flights into Guyana.
That information was subsequently shared with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other international partners.
The successful operation is another demonstration of government’s strong commitment to fighting the narcotics trade by forming a strategic alliance with local agencies and international partners.
Since coming to office in August 2020, the PPP/C government has injected heavily in furnishing the Joint Services with the necessary equipment.
The administration has also worked on developing partnerships with various international law enforcement agencies to ensure that Guyana does not become a haven for drug trafficking organisations who are bent on using Guyana as a trans-shipment point.
In this regard, significant investments have been made in Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and Air Corp, as well as the Guyana Police Force to safeguard the country’s border regions.
Importantly, this latest seizure is another example of the confidence the government and other international agencies have in CANU and the Joint Services of Guyana.
CANU has been at the forefront of Guyana’s anti-narcotics fight, which has resulted in past seizures of aircraft, semi-submersible vessels and arrests of high-profile drug traffickers.
Investigations into the Region One bust are ongoing.
