Cocaine from major Reg. 1 bust destroyed – CANU

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) Monday morning destroyed tonnes of cocaine found at an illegal airstrip in Region One (Barima- Waini) at the weekend.

CANU, in a release, said samples were taken from the suspected cocaine before its officers alongside Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks destroyed the remainder of the narcotics.

Four hand-dug pits, about five to six feet deep, neatly camouflaged with wood, tarpaulin, and bush, were found by the Special Forces (Guyana Defense Force Special Operations Section). The pits contained cocaine weighing four and a half tonnes, estimated to be worth 176 million Euros (US$195 million).

The bust followed months of high-level surveillance and intelligence gathering. It is reportedly the largest seizure of cocaine on land in Guyana.

Authorities believe that the operation was being conducted here by foreigners.