–officials on ‘high alert’ for illegal firearms, drugs at key border and port points, President Ali says
JOINT operations among several key regional partners have recently led to the seizure of US$3 million worth of cocaine and US$2.1 million in marijuana in the region, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.
During a press conference on Thursday at State House, President Ali disclosed that Guyana has ongoing collaborations with CARICOM IMPACS, the Brazilian Federal Police, the Columbian task force, and the Regional Security System (RSS) and several other major partners. This has led to the significant drug seizures, arrests and disruptions of major drug trafficking networks.
“We have seen significant increase of seizure of cocaine; that is the street value of more than US$3 million. We had a 11.2 per cent increase in the seizure of marijuana, and that is the street value of about US$2.1 million,” Dr. Ali said.
Meanwhile, with the support of additional partners from the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana is strengthening its border security and surveillance system.
“[The] CANU [Customs Anti Narcotic Unit] has strengthened its operation at key border and port points through enhanced collaboration with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL), and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) to combat drug trafficking, and also looking at the increased flights and destinations that we have to ensure that our surveillance system and our border control system captures all of that,” Dr. Ali explained.
Further, he disclosed that the government will be on high alert for other recreational drugs and illegal firearms.
“One of the interesting things that we are looking at, though, is the other types of drugs that are being imported in the country. A lot of it through barrels and the barrel trade, and we’re working now with our US partners on strengthening systems that will disallow the shipment of arms; the shipment of drugs from those ports in those country,” he said.
Recently, CANU disclosed that significant strides have been made in combating illegal narcotics.
During the 2023 period, the Unit recorded five international seizures, a testament to the strategic measures being implemented at the various ports of entry countrywide.
In 2023 also, the Unit cleared approximately 1363.28 kilogrammes of narcotics, consisting of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and hashish totalling $461.5 million. Cannabis was the most confiscated drug, accounting for 94 per cent of the total narcotics seized for the year, with approximately 73 separate seizures amounting to 1,287.88 kilogrammes.
There were 18 seizures of cocaine amounting to 75.17 kilogrammes, three seizures of ecstasy totalling 0.124 kilogrammes, and one seizure of hashish to the tune of 0.102 kilogrammes.
The cannabis that was confiscated had an estimated value of $386.3 million, whereas the cocaine’s value reached $475.1 million.
