CANU Condemns Removal of Official Watermarks by Media Entities

CANU Condemns Removal of Official Watermarks by Media Entities The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has observed with growing concern a recurringpractice among certain media houses and social media platforms wherein the agency’s officialwatermark is deliberately removed from photographs and media content before publication.These watermarks serve an important function: they verify the authenticity of the material,maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations, and ensure proper attribution of the Unit’soperational work. The unauthorized alteration and distribution of such content undermine thecredibility and security protocols associated with our agency’s work.CANU remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide timely, verifiedinformation to the media and the public. However, we strongly urge all media entities,bloggers, and digital platforms to desist immediately from removing or altering the agency’swatermark or any other identifying insignia from our official imagery or documents.Failure to comply may result in the restriction of media access to certain CANU briefings, legalrecourse where applicable, or other measures deemed necessary to protect the integrity ofthe Unit’s materials.

TRIAL UPDATE: Roger De Freitas

TRIAL UPDATE: Roger De Freitas Please be informed that on Tuesday 13th May, 2025, Roger De Freitas appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the offence of trafficking 11.148 kgs of cocaine. Bail was refused, and he was remanded to prison until 11th June, 2025. 

TRIAL UPDATE: Colin Alfred and Terrence Bentinck

TRIAL UPDATE: Colin Alfred and Terrence Bentinck Please be informed that on Friday, 9th May 2025, Colin Alfred and Terrence Bentinckappeared before Magistrate McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where Colin Alfred pleaded guilty and Terrence Bentinck pleaded not guilty to the offence of possession of 11.148 kgsof cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Bail was refused for both Alfred and Bentinck, and they were both remanded to prison until 12th May, 2025.On Monday, 12th May 2025, Colin Alfred appeared before Magistrate McGusty at theGeorgetown Magistrate’s Court, where he changed his plea to not guilty. Bail was refused, and he was remanded to prison.

TRIAL UPDATE:Wendez Pompey

TRIAL UPDATE: Wendez Pompey Please be informed that on Friday, 9th May 2025, Wendez Pompey appeared before Magistrate Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where he was sentenced to three (3) years imprisonment, along with a fine of GYD$1,737,000 for the offense of possession of 1.1562 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Trial Update: Jason DeFreitas

TRIAL UPDATE: JASON DeFREITAS Please be informed that on Friday, 9th May 2025, Jason DeFreitas appeared before Magistrate McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the offence of aiding Colin Alfred and Terrence Bentinck to traffic 11.148 kgs of cocaine. Bail was granted to DeFreitas in the sum of GYD$500,000 on the condition that he lodges his passport with the court and reports to CANU’s headquarters every other Friday. 

CANU Seizes a Quantity of Cocaine Colin Alfred and Terrence Bentinck were arrested

CANU Seizes a Quantity of Cocaine On Wednesday, 7th May 2025, CANU Officers, acting on information received,conducted an operation at Lombard and Sussex streets, Georgetown, where theyintercepted a motor car. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed ten (10)brick-like parcels, containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Colin Alfred and Terrence Bentinck were arrested and escorted to CANUheadquarters along with the suspected narcotic, which tested positive for cocaineand weighed 11.148 kilograms. A wanted bulletin was subsequently issued for JasonLloyd De Freitas aka “Whiteboy” in connection with the seizure and he has sinceturned himself in. Investigations are ongoing.

TRIAL UPDATE: A’ishah McKenzie

TRIAL UPDATE: A’ishah McKenzie Please be informed that on Wednesday 7th May, 2025, A’ishah McKenzie appeared before MagistrateFortune at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court, where she was sentenced to three (3) yearsimprisonment, along with a fine of GYD$ 3,702,000 for the offense of possession of 2.467 kilogramsof cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

TRIAL UPDATE: LEMME CAMPBELL

TRIAL UPDATE: LEMME CAMPBELL Please be informed that on 2 May 2025, Lemme Campbell appeared before Magistrate Fortune at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty of the offense of possession of 1.502 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He was refused bail and remanded to prison until 9 th June 2025. 

TRIAL UPDATE: Michaia Andrews

TRIAL UPDATE: Michaia Andrews Please be informed that on 2 May 2025 ,Michaia Andrews appeared before MagistrateFortune at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty of the offense ofpossession of 1.502 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He was granted bail in thesum of GYD$300,000, on the condition that he lodges his passport and reports to CANU’sHeadquarters every other Friday.

CANU & GRA Officers Seize a Quantity of Cannabis

CANU & GRA Officers Seize a Quantity of Cannabis at CJIA On Wednesday, April 30th 2025, Customs Officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and CANU officers, acting on information received, searched two (2)incoming barrels from the United States of America (USA), which led to the discovery ofseveral transparent parcels containing a quantity of foreign cannabis. The quantity offoreign cannabis was subsequently escorted to CANU’s Headquarters, which weighed 16.4 kilograms.CANU Officers, whilst conducting a follow-up investigation at Lot XX6 North EastLa Penitence Georgetown, searched the residence, which led to the discovery of a blackgarbage bag containing several packets of foreign zip-lock bags, small plastic containersused to package cannabis, and rolling paper. The items were confiscated, and two (2)persons are in custody assisting with investigations.