Over 4400lbs of cocaine found in rice, chemical shipments from Guyana; likely contaminated during transshipment – CANU

Over 4400lbs of cocaine were found in two separate shipments from Guyana that were likely contaminated during transshipment.

The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) today released a statement confirming that the busts were made by South American and European authorities.

In South America, the drugs, which amounted to some 300 kilograms, were found in a shipment of chemicals while in Europe, the shipment contained rice and the drugs therein weighed some 1700 kilograms.

See full statement from the Customs Antic Narcotics Unit (CANU): 

The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) has been formally notified by its overseas law enforcement counterparts of the discovery of cocaine concealed within two (2) separate containers. These shipments originated from Guyana, but were thoroughly inspected before they departed Guyana. At the time of inspection, no anomalies or irregularities were detected. The containers, which were declared as containing rice and chemicals respectively, were intercepted in a European and South American territory.

Preliminary information indicates that the containers were transshipped en route to their final destinations. As such, it is highly likely that the consignments were contaminated during the transshipment process. This method of exploiting transshipment points to introduce illicit narcotics is a known tactic used by transnational drug trafficking networks seeking to circumvent security measures at ports of origin.

CANU is currently collaborating closely with its international counterparts as investigations continue. Given the sensitive nature of the ongoing inquiries, further details cannot be disclosed at this time.

The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit remains steadfast in its commitment to combating narcotics trafficking and strengthening cooperation with regional and international partners to dismantle criminal networks. CANU is also actively collaborating with domestic law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), as part of ongoing investigations into this matter.