The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) today destroyed 1009 KGs (approx. 2224lbs) of local and foreign marijuana with a street value of approximately US$2.5 million. This is equivalent to half a billion Guyana dollars .
The destruction exercise occurred at the former Ministry of Housing tarmac, Homestretch Avenue.
The cases where the narcotics were kept for evidence have all been concluded in the Magistrates’ court.
The Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn witnessed the burning exercise.
The head of CANU, James Singh, stated that the quantity of narcotics burnt today is just a fraction of the amount of drugs seized for the year 2023.
The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit, through the period of January to June 2023, seized approximately 677.40 kg of narcotics, consisting of 662.40 kgs of cannabis, 14.80 kgs of cocaine, 10 grams of hashish and 90 grams of ecstasy.
The unit also made seizures of 4 firearms and a total of 1087 ammunition seizures. For the said period, the unit also handled a total of 30 cases and secured 27 convictions.
CANU has also placed great emphasis on the areas of reduction and institutional strengthening, collaborating with various agencies in this sector, conducting School Drug Prevention sensitizations throughout the country as well as working on other projects that will facilitate the development of treatment and reintegration of recovering substance users.
Great emphasis is also placed on International Cooperation, liaising with International and regional organisations, which significantly enhances the country’s ability to combat the present drug situation.
