The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn, was present on Sunday, September 1, 2024 as a joint operation involving the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Guyana Defence Force resulted in the discovery of 4,400 kilograms of cocaine. The seized narcotics, with an estimated street value of €176 million, were found concealed in four hand-dug bunkers, expertly camouflaged with branches, leaves, and wood, located approximately 30 minutes from an illegal airstrip in the dense forests of Matthew’s Ridge, Region 1.
During the operation, one individual was arrested and is currently in custody for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. Field tests conducted on the scene confirmed the substance to be cocaine, which was subsequently destroyed by fire.
The discovery was the culmination of days of intense searching by officers at an abandoned airstrip in the Matthew’s Ridge location. This operation was informed by intelligence on illegal flights into Guyana and was bolstered by collaboration with the DEA and other international partners. According to CANU, this is the largest land-based cocaine seizure in Guyana’s history, following months of extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn emphasized the importance of local cooperation in combating drug trafficking, urging more forest residents and other citizens to assist law enforcement. “The people who live in the forest can join up in this fight because this is a fight for everyone,” Minister Benn told reporters on the scene.
This operation is one of several conducted over the past five months, targeting illegal airstrips and monitoring suspicious activities. CANU officials believe that this successful raid not only intercepted a large quantity of narcotics but also exposed new methods of concealment and provided further insights into the scale of the drug trafficking network.
The illegal airstrip, suspected to be used by small aircraft transporting large quantities of cocaine from outside of Guyana, underscores the ongoing challenges in curbing narcotics trafficking in the region. Following the seizure, samples of the cocaine will be retained for further analysis before the remaining quantities are destroyed.
“This operation was driven by intelligence regarding illegal flights into Guyana, supported by information shared with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and other international partners,” CANU stated.
CANU highlighted that this seizure demonstrates the Government of Guyana’s unwavering commitment to combating the narcotics trade and strengthening collaboration with international partners. “The Government of Guyana is making significant strides to equip the Joint Services with the necessary tools to combat drug trafficking and other illicit activities within the country. Recent investments in the GDF Coast Guard, Air Corps, and the Guyana Police to enhance monitoring of border regions underscore this dedication,” CANU stated.
“This seizure also demonstrates the confidence that the Guyanese Government, international agencies, and Joint Services have in CANU’s ability to fulfill its mandate. CANU has been leading Guyana’s anti-narcotics efforts, resulting in previous seizures of aircraft, semi-submersibles, and the arrests of high-profile drug traffickers,” the statement concluded.
This operation marks a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to dismantle narcotics networks operating within Guyana and highlights the critical role of international cooperation in addressing transnational crime.