THE Narcotics Branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday destroyed, by dumping, 100 kilogrammes 644 grammes of cocaine 15 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. Officer-in-Charge of the Branch, Superintendent Errol Watts told the media that the estimated street value of the illicit drug is about $9M and was accumulated between June 2007 and December 2010.
He said there were 36 related court cases from which 24 convictions were secured.
Watts said the longest jail term inflicted in a case was five years and the shortest three years.
He recalled that the last such cocaine destruction was done in 2007 and most of that dumped yesterday was seized from passengers at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CIJA).
Watts said the method to destroy the narcotic was chosen because the substance is not easily dissipated by burning and they opted to crush it before dumping.
He said many persons are not very willing to assist the police in such matters and it is one of the main reasons more convictions are not secured.
However, Watts appealed to the public to be more cooperative with the law enforcement agencies in the fight against trafficking on which drug barons are capitalising.
As the operation was underway yesterday, the location was heavily guarded by armed ranks on board the Police boat ’Henry G’.