–sources say, following last weekend’s drug bust at John Fernandes Wharf

IN the light of last weekend’s drug bust at the John Fernandes Wharf, reports have surfaced that drug traffickers are taking advantage of a loophole in the processing of containers to be shipped overseas.
This is according to sources within the anti-narcotics bodies who noted that the traffickers are managing to find ways to re-open containers even after they have been sealed and cleared for shipping by the authorities.

The loophole, a source noted, is that the shippers avoid moving their containers to Georgetown, citing costs to do so.
As such, officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) would inspect the containers at the properties operated by the shippers.
It was noted that the shippers would re-enter containers by unscrewing bolts and nuts, and in the process, are able to remove the doors without tampering with the seals placed there by the law enforcement agencies after official inspection.

Last Sunday, the Guyana Chronicle reported that law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Guyana Revenue authority (GRA) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) stumbled upon suspected cocaine destined for Europe.
CANU subsequently reported that 67 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine was discovered in the shipment of rice. The rice was being exported to SF Trading BV, Nederland, by Golden Grains Investments Limited of Barr Street, Kitty.

The Guyana Chronicle has learnt that the shipment, which was examined and sealed at Perseverance, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, was destined to leave for Belgium aboard a ship from the John Fernandes Wharf at approximately midnight on Friday.
But following reports that there may have been a breach of the shipment before it arrived at the wharf for loading, the search was activated.

The proprietor of Golden Grains Investment allegedly bought the shipment of rice from a businessman in Berbice and packed the containers at another location which he owns.
The company is said to be a first-time shipper and this was among the red flags which the anti-narcotics agencies considered.
One person remains in custody as investigations into the drug bust continue.