$344M worth of ganja destroyed during operation at Yaruni Bend

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday conducted a major drug eradication exercise at Yaruni Bend, Linden, along the Upper Demerara River, resulting in the destruction of narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $344 million.

According to a statement from the GPF, the joint operation was carried out between 05:00hrs and 14:10hrs. During the exercise, ranks discovered two cannabis farms covering a combined area of approximately eight acres. The farms contained an estimated 53,000 suspected cannabis plants, ranging in height from two to six feet.

Further searches in the area led to the discovery of two makeshift camps and five drying areas, which together contained approximately 800 pounds of dried cannabis.

The suspected cannabis plants, dried marijuana, makeshift camps, and drying areas were destroyed by fire. Police reported that no arrests were made and the operation was conducted without incident.

The GPF estimated the street value of the narcotics destroyed as follows: $17,956,400 for the cannabis plants and $212,281,056 for the dried cannabis, bringing the total value of the drugs destroyed to $344,542,640.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.