Over $4B in seized drugs destroyed as CANU Boss eyes expanded operations with gov’t support

In a show of enforcement and accountability, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Saturday morning, destroyed approximately 926.56 kilograms of seized drugs in a government-backed operation aimed at protecting communities and sending a firm message to traffickers. The haul, which included 618.26 kilograms of cocaine, 308.30 kilograms of cannabis, and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and ecstasy, carries an estimated international value exceeding $4 billion (USD 19.3 million).

Addressing media on-site along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, CANU Director James Singh emphasised the importance of intelligence, testing and strict adherence to court procedures in ensuring transparency.

“Every gram of narcotic destroyed here today has been fully accounted for, verified, and approved by the courts,” Singh said. “This is not just a symbolic exercise—each kilogram represents a life protected, a community made safer, and a criminal enterprise dismantled.”

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, present at the exercise, highlighted that these seizures demonstrate Guyana’s unwavering stance against the use of the country as a transit point for illicit drugs. “When traffickers see hundreds of millions of dollars literally going up in smoke, they understand that Guyana is serious about defending its borders and communities,” she said.

The destruction exercise follows multiple successful interdictions across Guyana over recent months, from coastal ports to remote hinterland locations. Most of the seized drugs were destined for transshipment to Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. Based on international street values, the cocaine alone could have fetched €30,000–€40,000 per kilogram depending on the destination.

Director Singh stressed that the exercise adheres to strict protocols. All drugs destroyed were maintained in their original court-approved packaging, and the destruction process was fully documented to assure the public of CANU’s integrity and professionalism.

“This level of accountability and transparency ensures public confidence in our operations,” Singh said. “Every operation, seizure, and destruction activity is intelligence-driven and conducted with precision, reflecting our evolving approach to proactive drug enforcement.”

With ongoing support from the government, CANU is expanding its reach and modernising its operations. The unit is strengthening surveillance, analytic, and intelligence-gathering capabilities, integrating digital, forensic, and aerial technologies. Officers continue to receive advanced training through international partnerships, including SEACOP, COPOLAD, RSS, and the U.S. DEA, ensuring that Guyana meets global standards in drug control and interdiction.

“Thanks to government backing, we are now able to anticipate and prevent drug movements before they happen, rather than react after the fact,” Singh said. “This operation reinforces our commitment to protecting citizens, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring that Guyana is no longer an attractive route or market for traffickers.”

Both Minister Walrond and Director Singh reiterated that public vigilance and reporting remain crucial. CANU’s success depends on timely information and collaboration with communities, ensuring that Guyana continues to reduce both the supply and demand for narcotics.