Marijuana remains most trafficked drug in Guyana -says CANU

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), James Singh, in his mid-year report disclosed that during the first quarter of 2022 (January-March), over 2000 kilograms of cannabis was seized compared to 110 kg seized during the same period last year. He noted that the seizures in the first quarter of 2022 marked a 179.8% increase.

Marijuana remains most trafficked drug in Guyana -says CANU

Marijuana remains the most trafficked drug in Guyana with the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) seizing approximately 2200 kilograms of cannabis during the first six months of 2022. That illicit drug is followed by cocaine.

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), James Singh, in his mid-year report disclosed that during the first quarter of 2022 (January-March), over 2000 kilograms of cannabis was seized compared to 110 kg seized during the same period last year. He noted that the seizures in the first quarter of 2022 marked a 179.8% increase.

The amount of cocaine seized also increased by more than 100%.

According to the CANU Head, 49.2 kg of cocaine was seized in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 7.5 kg during the same period in 2021.

Mr Singh said given the decline in the COVID-19 pandemic, the anti-narcotic unit increased its operations in an attempt to suppress the illicit trade.

“These operations in Guyana yielded a total of 2,127.5437 kgs of narcotics derived for Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10. The highest narcotic seizures were recorded in Region 4, accounting for 51 percent of total narcotic seizures for the period, with cannabis accounting for 28 percent and cocaine accounting for 23 percent of total seizures. Region 6 accounted for 38 percent of the total seizures, with cannabis accounting for 100% of all seizures made in this region,” the CANU Head explained.

Regions 2, 3 and 10 accounted for 11 percent of the total seizures during the first three months of 2022.

Meanwhile, in the second quarter of 2022, the amount of marijuana seized declined when compared with the previous year but it nonetheless remains the most seized drug in the country.

In his report, the CANU Head said between April and June, 2022, approximately 161.212kg of cannabis was seized when compared to 361.261kg during the same period last year resulting in a 76.5% reduction. However, while 3.70kg of cocaine was seized during the second quarter in 2021, more than 40.3kg was seized during the same period this year, resulting in a 166.42% increase.

Mr Singh noted that 0.1507 grams of ecstasy was seized during the identified period, resulting in a 100% increase. No cannabis seeds or crystal meth was seized during this period.

“Cannabis continues to record the highest number of seizures for the 2nd quarter of the 2022 period. It also represents the highest quantity of a single drug seized for the period. The Unit seized approximately 161.21kg of cannabis for the period of April to June 2022, followed by cocaine which accounted for 20% of the total narcotics seized by the Unit. Cocaine seizure quantity accounted for approximately 40.37 kg for the reporting period, followed by ecstasy with accounted for approximately 0.150 gram,” the CANU Head explained.

It was noted that for the reporting period, the largest quantity of narcotics seized occurred on the roadways.

Mr Singh was also keen on pointing out that CANU in its daily operations paid special attention to the domestic trade.

 “In the month of May and June, the unit placed significant emphasis on tackling micro trafficking, recognising that the domestic trade is a major problem. While all evidence points to marijuana topping the list of drug sales, crack cocaine also has a significant local market and synthetic drugs primarily ecstasy is becoming increasingly popular among our youths,” the CANU Head explained.

The CANU head said that collaborations with local, regional and international organizations have been fruitful in limiting the flow of illicit drugs.

He said some of the agency’s success is as a result of CANU’s commitment and perseverance in carrying out the Unit’s mandate to deter illicit drug trafficking.

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