Drug traffickers hit hard as CANU seizes 1.6 tonnes in half-year crackdown

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) has seized more than 1,600 kilograms of narcotics during the first half of 2026, as the agency continues operations aimed at disrupting illegal drug trade.

CANU Head James Singh told reporters on Friday that the agency confiscated over 250 kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,400 kilograms of marijuana between January and June 2026.

“We have been doing a lot of work for the first half of the year,” Singh said, highlighting the agency’s continued focus on enforcement operations.

He explained that much of the cocaine intercepted was linked to attempts to use Guyana as a transit point for moving drugs to other destinations.

“This would have been cocaine that would have entered Guyana to be transhipped to other territories, as we have seen in the past,” Singh said.

He pointed to previous operations where narcotics were intercepted before being loaded onto vessels, as well as cases where drugs entered Guyana from neighbouring territories for transshipment.

Singh said cooperation with international partners has also played an important role in the agency’s success.

“Guyana is part of several international organisations and partnerships in ongoing investigations, which has resulted in large seizures of drugs,” he noted.

Beyond seizures, CANU says it has also been working on demand reduction through education and community engagement. Singh said the agency has launched a book for schools focused on the dangers of drug use and has partnered with the Guyana Police Force and communities to address narcotics activity.

“We have started a campaign with the Police Force and others to go into communities, dismantle areas where persons may be attempting to sell narcotics, and also work with community leaders to ensure they share information,” Singh added.

Singh said CANU will continue its enforcement and prevention efforts as it works to combat drug trafficking and reduce the impact of narcotics in communities.