A 25-year-old taxi driver was arrested after police allegedly found a quantity of suspected cocaine during an operation at Bartica, and has since been charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Police said the discovery was made between 21:00 hours and 22:00 hours on Saturday, May 16, during an exercise conducted at Two Miles, Potaro Road, Essequibo River.
Investigators reported that ranks observed the taxi driver, later identified as Reon Speede, called “Pooh,” of Lot 807 Five Miles Housing Scheme, Bartica, driving a motor car in the area.
According to police, the vehicle was stopped and the driver exited the car and attempted to flee. He was reportedly pursued, apprehended and escorted to the Bartica Police Station.
A search carried out on the suspect allegedly uncovered a small transparent bag containing 18 zip-lock bags with a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.
Police said the suspected narcotic was weighed in the man’s presence and amounted to 12.2 grams.
Speede was subsequently charged under Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10, with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
He appeared on Monday before His Worship Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him. Speede pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000.
The matter was adjourned to July 2, 2026, for continuation.
Bartica and surrounding riverine communities have, in recent years, seen periodic anti-narcotics operations by law enforcement authorities as police continue efforts to curb drug trafficking and related crimes in interior regions. Investigations into the latest incident are ongoing.