— alone in Berbice during past five months, reports divisional commander

POLICE in Berbice have destroyed in excess of one million pounds of ganja during exercises within the Canje and Berbice riverine areas in the past five months, Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves has reported.

He said in the drug fight, his goal is to reduce the suppliers which in turn will reduce the demand for drugs. And, in so doing, the division will continue to target large-scale operations in the Canje and Berbice river communities as well as known drug houses.
As a result of the raids, ranks found and destroyed 18 fields in which there were 1,321,430 plants measuring between four inches to six feet.  The plants weighed 665,000 kilograms or 1,466.074lbs

In addition, Alves said, two outboard motor engines were seized, along with seven firearms, including five shotguns and two pistols.
The gangs, which operated within the riverine community, targeting specifically floating shops, have since been dismantled following an intelligence-led attack, which left two bandits dead on March 2.
On that day, Indrajit ‘Danny’ Sham, 37, of Betsy Ground, and Amar ‘Punk’ Bissoon, 21, of Adelphi Village, both East Canje areas, were shot after police intercepted a boat in the Berbice River.

Based on further information, ranks proceeded to another location where they discovered several bounded sheep and other items within a camouflaged aluminum boat. But, as ranks exited their boat, they came under fire and in responding, two men were fatally wounded.
Since the slaying of Sham and Bissoon and the subsequent arrest and the prosecution of three other persons, there have been no more reported cases of robbery attacks on floating shops, boasted the commander.

During the period under review, Berbice River business couple, Frank and Cheryl Gladstone were robbed of their gold jewellery, cash and mobile phone, moments after being awakened from their sleep at the New Amsterdam Municipal wharf.

It is customary for the couple to sleep in their wooden motorized vessel whenever they travel from their home at Kimbia, Berbice River to New Amsterdam where they would make purchases of dry goods and other items, which would then be resold to residents of riverine communities, as they traverse the waterway on their return trip home.

Another reported robbery had been committed on Randy Gladstone, his wife Donna and their daughter Russell, of Maria Henriette, Berbice River. They had to plunge from their floating shop into the murky Berbice River after they were attacked by six gun-totting bandits.
The family was robbed of items totally just under $1M.