– more than 13,850 kg of cannabis seized by police

WITHIN the last three weeks, the Police have destroyed over 83,000 marijuana plants and have seized over 13,850 kilograms of cannabis during eradication operations in Berbice.

On April 1, 2020, police, on patrol in the Berbice River, intercepted a boat, which was powered by a 75HP engine, and had, within it, 124 taped parcels of cannabis. When weighed, the cannabis amounted to 166 kilograms. Five men were charged for drug trafficking and were remanded to prison.

Meanwhile, on April 14, after an 11-hour operation at Gatetroy Village, Berbice River, two camps were destroyed.

The camps had more than 27 kilograms of dried cannabis and approximately five acres of cannabis cultivation, with over 25,000 plants ranging between two to seven feet in height. No arrests were made during the operation.

However, on April 9, 2020, the police, after a 12-hour operation in the Berbice River, managed to destroy four cannabis farms.

The first farm, which was found at Morgunston Village, was approximately an acre with about 5,000 plants ranging between one foot and four feet in height.

The second farm was found at Gatetroy Village, which was approximately an acre and had 5,000 plants, ranging between one foot and four feet in height.

The third farm was found at Gatetroy Village also which was approximately two acres and had about 15,000 plants ranging between one foot and six feet in height. At this farm a 40-year-old resident of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice was arrested and charged for cultivating prohibited plants.

The fourth farm was found at Bartica Village, Berbice River, and was approximately an acre and had about 10,000 plants ranging between one foot and six feet in height. They were already harvested and left to dry in the field and under the camp.

On April 15, during an operation, police destroyed several acres of cannabis cultivation at Gatetroy and Bartica villages along with makeshift tents and more than 50 kilograms of processed cannabis.

Approximately 18,000 plants, ranging from one foot to six feet in height were destroyed.

Also, during a narcotics eradication operation at Ebini, Berbice River, police found and destroyed approximately one and a half acres of cannabis cultivation which had about 5,000 plants ranging from 12 inches to four feet in height.
A camp and a nursery with an estimated 3,000 seedlings were also destroyed. A large plot of land was also observed to have been prepared.

However, on April 18, police on mobile patrol, acting on information received, intercepted a motor car on the # 59 Village Road, Corentyne , Berbice.

A search of the vehicle revealed fifteen parcels of suspected cannabis which, when weighed, amounted to thirteen thousand, six hundred and seven grams.

The driver, a 40-year-old resident of New Amsterdam, Berbice, who was the lone occupant, was arrested and is expected to be charged.