LAW enforcement officers seized $20M in cannabis sativa in two boats along the Berbice River, during an operation in the wee hours of Saturday.

Police Headquarters revealed that the boats were seized in Plegtanker Village and Light Town along the Berbice River.

Under the supervision of an Assistant Superintendent, a total of 672 pounds (305.45kg) of suspected cannabis were seized. The first bust occurred in a wooden white and green boat, with a 75hp Yamaha engine that was seen on the river bank, in the vicinity of Plegtanker Village.

According to the police report, ranks upon approaching the boat, observed that it contained five black bulky plastic bags, which contained a quantity of seeds, leaves and stems, suspected to be cannabis. The area was searched but no one was seen.

Further, while the ranks were escorting the boat and narcotics to the Central Police Station, another wooden boat powered by an 115hp Yamaha engine was seen in the Berbice River in the vicinity of Light Town, with four occupants.

Upon seeing the police team, the boat’s operator drove it on to the river bank causing the boat to slide into a clump of nearby bushes and the four occupants ran further into the nearby bushes and made good their escape.

The boat was boarded by the ranks who discovered 30 bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic containing a quantity of suspected cannabis. The area was subsequently combed but the suspects were not seen.

Police Headquarters noted that the boats along with the narcotics were taken to the Central Police Station, where the narcotics was weighed and amounted to a total of 672 pounds (305.45kg) with a street value of $20M. Investigations continue.