The Head of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit, James Singh, has revealed that there are several Guyanese who are currently under investigation in other territories for cocaine smuggling and other drug-related crimes.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday during a destruction exercise for seized cocaine and marijuana, Mr. Singh explained that while in some cases, there are joint investigations between Guyana and other countries, he wants to see persons face local justice first before being extradited.

“While I am not going to get into specific names there are a number of joint investigations ongoing in terms of persons who had a history with narcotics and who are wanted in other territories for narcotics, but the aim right now—is all too often person have been extradited or is being seen as weak prosecution, we want to go after the persons linked to narcotics here in Guyana, put them before our court system and then afterwards whomever has an interest in them after they have served their sentence then that can be explored,” Singh said.

The CANU Head said he believes there must be confidence in the local justice system and that is the reason why he wants to see drug traffickers face the Courts on criminal charges before they are extradited to other states to face similar charges.

“We want to send a strong message that the government is serious about fighting narcotics within Guyana and also Guyana will not be used a transshipment point for narcotics to other territory”, Mr. Singh said.

He said while there is a perception that CANU is only going after some people, he wants drug pushers to know that no one is untouchable and that the drug enforcement agency will go after anyone who flouts the country’s drug laws.

“Last year would have shown that we had several seizures and the rest of them put before the courts several persons that have been linked to narcotics over 20-30 years, they are currently before the court. While I wouldn’t label anyone as big fish, it just demonstrates that no one is untouchable, regardless of who you are and what position you think you hold,” Mr. Singh noted.

Over the weekend, the anti-narcotics agency destroyed over 1000 pounds of marijuana and more than 300 pounds of cocaine.

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