-12 outboard engines, two remote controlled boats, jacks, a motor blower and a scale seized
THE illegal drug trade in Berbice has been dealt a severe blow with the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin and the seizing of 12 outboard engines, two remote controlled boats, jacks, a motor blower and a scale, all valued at millions of dollars. The items were seized following a raid in De Veldt, Sans Hills, Tabatali, and Gate Roy, all areas 50 to 80 miles up the Berbice River.
Commander of Berbice Police Division, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Merai, heading a party of policemen, made the surprise attack on Saturday morning at 06:00hours.  According to Merai, the raid was the sixth since last December.
He informed the media that following the garnering of intelligence, the police began to ‘switch gear ‘and go after the proceeds which are suspected to have been gained through money laundering.
“The new legislation , in relation to the money Laundering Act, will be tested through this raid .These people cannot purchase engines and boats by planting corn and cassava. They have to prove ownership and they will also have  to prove where they got the money from .I expected legal challenges, and we are prepared for it,” asserted the Commander.
He added that the boats which move at a faster rate than those operated by the police, have a seating capacity of six , can transport approximately 240 kilogrammes of marijuana at a time and travel as far as Venezuela.
Merai had said on assuming his position as top cop in the division, that he ‘will cut the narcotic trade to naught, ‘ and being assigned to the largest producing area in the country, he will see that it is destroyed.
While he has not lost focus on the other areas, the Commander agreed that most of the offences are linked to the striving illegal drug trade, and what was appalling was that it has seeped into the school system.
Commenting further on the exercise, he said residents of the various areas have all denied ownership of the articles. However, following legal advice from the Chambers of the Director of Prosecution, an individual in custody is expected to be placed before the Magistrate Court during the week.