ONE person has been arrested after anti-narcotics agents uncovered cocaine hidden in a box with ornaments, at a shipping company, on Thursday
Acting on information, ranks of Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) carried out searches on a box that was being shipped out of the country and discovered almost 300 grammes of cocaine in the false bottom of the box.
The box contained a local tourism booklet and multiple Guyanese-made craft pieces and ornaments.
Additionally, on Thursday, a 36-year-old labourer was sentenced to four years imprisonment and slapped with a $1.7M fine for smuggling cocaine in fudge, while his 46-year-old reputed wife was freed of the same charge.
Shaka Nunes and Vanica Williams appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where Nunes pleaded guilty and told the court that his wife was innocent.

The court heard that, on February 15, 2021, between Lot 31 Maxwell Ally, Christiansburg, Linden; DHL Express at Lot 34 ‘B’ Republic Avenue, Linden and DHL in Georgetown, they trafficked 3,692 kilograms (8,139 lbs) of cocaine.
Following his guilty plea, prosecutor attached to CANU withdrew the charge against Williams.
According to reports, on the day in question, DHL received a suspicious package at its Georgetown location from Linden and summoned CANU ranks. The ranks examined the package which contained local snacks, including fudge.
A field test was done on the snacks and the fudge tested positive for cocaine. The package was reportedly expected to be shipped to the United States.
As a result, CANU ranks visited the mailing address in Linden and contacted Williams, who told them that Nunes gave her the package to post.
Nunes, a father of five children, begged for leniency and noted that he did not want to waste the court’s time.