New Police Commander takes charge in Region One

In a significant shake-up within the Guyana Police Force, Superintendent Krishnadat Ramana has been appointed as the new Police Commander of Region One (Barima-Waini), effective Tuesday, September 11, 2024.

Ramana announced his new role via a WhatsApp message in the Joint Services WhatsApp media group, though the Guyana Police Force has yet to issue an official statement regarding the change.

This transition follows the reassignment of the former Commander, Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, who is now tasked with overseeing the force transport workshop.

The timing of this leadership change is notable, given the recent high-profile cocaine bust in Region One.

On September 1, authorities from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) made headlines with a monumental drug seizure at an illegal airstrip in Region One.

The operation uncovered four and a half tonnes of cocaine, estimated to be worth an astounding 176 million Euros (US$195 million). The narcotics were hidden in four hand-dug pits, camouflaged with wood, tarpaulin, and local foliage.

The bust, the largest of its kind on land in Guyana, followed months of meticulous surveillance and intelligence gathering.

It has since sparked a comprehensive investigation, with local authorities collaborating closely with international partners, including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), to trace the origins and network connected to the massive drug cache.

Between that bust and Tuesday, Deputy Superintendent James Tappin temporarily oversaw the region’s operations before the official handover to Ramana.

As the new commander steps into his role, all eyes will be on how he navigates the ongoing investigation and addresses the challenges posed by such a significant drug trafficking operation.