CONVICTION-Anthony Sugrim Please be informed that on Thursday 26th September 2024, Anthony Sugrim appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where he was sentenced to four (4) years and six (6) months imprisonment and fined GYD$4,240,800 for possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit 4.712 kgs of cannabis.
CONVICTION-Steven Seeraj Please be informed that on Thursday 26th September, 2024, Steven Seeraj appeared before Magistrate Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where he was found guilty for the offense of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit 4.712 kgs of cannabis. He was sentenced to three (3) imprisonment and fined GYD$4,240,800.
CANU SEIZES FIREARM On Monday 9th September 2024, CANU Officers acting on information received conducted an operation at Lot 73 Stewartville, West Coast Demerara. A subsequent search of the residence revealed one (1) 9mm submachine gun with a matching magazine. Four (4) persons were arrested and are currently in custody assisting with investigations.
CONVICTION: RAYMOND TINNIS On Monday, September 9, 2024, Raymond Tinnis appeared before Magistrate Mittleholzer at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where he was found guilty of the offense of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit 9.8 kg of cannabis. He was sentenced to three (3) years imprisonment and fined GY$ 8,820,000.
CANU SEIZES FIRE ARM On Sunday, September 8th, 2024, CANU officers, acting on information received, conducted an operation in the Norton Street, Greater Georgetown area. They intercepted a male carrying a backpack. A subsequent search of the backpack revealed one (1) 9mm submachine gun with a matching magazine. The suspect was arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters along with the firearm.Investigations are ongoing
CANU CONDUCTS BURNING EXERCISE AT DISCOVERED ILLEGAL AIRSTRIP LOCATED IN REGION #1. On Saturday, 31st August 2024, CANU officers, in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces Unit, carried out an operation in the Region #1 area, which led to the discovery of an illegal airstrip and 4.4 tonnes of suspected cocaine. On Monday, 2nd September 2024, following taking samples from the suspected cocaine, CANU and GDF officers destroyed the remainder of the narcotics. CANU remains resolute in the fight against drug trafficking in Guyana and will continue the pursuit of fulfilling its mandate. Investigations are ongoing. Photograph displaying 4.4 tonnes of cocaine before Burning Exercise Photograph displaying the burning of 4.4 tonnes of cocaine Photograph displaying the aftermath of burning 4.4 tonnes of cocaine
CANU Seizes and Destroys Large Quantity of Cocaine On Saturday, 31st August 2024, CANU officers, in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces Unit, carried out an operation in the Region #1 area, which led to the discovery of an illegal airstrip. A subsequent search of the surrounding area resulted in the unearthing of 4.4 tonnes of suspected cocaine, which has a current street value of one hundred and seventy-six million Euros €176,000,000).This operation was driven by intelligence regarding illegal flights into Guyana and was supported by information shared with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and other international partners. This seizure highlights the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Government’s unwavering commitment to combating the narcotics trade in Guyana and collaborating 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. This seizure also demonstrates the confidence that the Guyanese Government, international agencies, and Joint Services have in CANU’s ability to fulfil its mandate. CANU has been leading Guyana’s anti-narcotics efforts, resulting in previous seizures of aircraft and semi-submersibles and the arrests of high-profile drug traffickers. Samples were taken, and the remainder of the narcotics were destroyed. Investigations are ongoing.
TRIAL UPDATE-SHAWN-HERCULES, STAFFON CAESAR, AND MARK BOYLES Please be informed that on Wednesday 10th July, 2024, Shawn Hercules, Staffon Caesar, and Mark Boyles appeared before Magistrate Mittelholzer at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court where in relation to the charge of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit 5.790kg of cannabis. They all pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded to prison.
CANU SEIZES A QUANTITY OF CANNABIS On Sunday 7th July 2024, CANU Officers conducted an operation in the Stanleytown, New Amsterdam area, where they intercepted a motor car. A subsequent search of the motor vehicle revealed two (2) large bulky brick-like parcels with a quantity of leaves and stems suspected to be cannabis. Staffon Caesar, age twenty-five (25), a taxi driver of Gangaram Settlement, Canje Berbice, Mark Boyles, age twenty-four (24), a clothes vendor of Stanleytown New Amsterdam, Berbice and Shawn Hercules, age twenty-two (22), a farmer of Kimbia, Berbice River were arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters along with the suspected cannabis which tested positive for cannabis and weighed 9.790kgs. Investigations are ongoing.
CANU Operation Yields Major Cocaine Seizure On Thursday, July 4, 2024, CANU Officers conducted an operation in the Vlissengen Road, Georgetown area, where they intercepted a motor car. A subsequent search of the motor vehicle revealed several brick-like parcels containing a whitish, powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.
CONVICTION- ANDREW HARTMAN Please be informed that on July 5, 2024, Andrew Hartman appeared before Magistrate Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where he was found guilty of the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking 92.6 kg of cannabis. He was sentenced to four (4) years of imprisonment and a fine of GY$83,340,000.
CONVICTION- ROMARIO STOLL Please be informed that on Wednesday 26th June, 2024, Romario Stoll appeared before Magistrate Clarkeat the Suddie Magistrate’s Court where he was sentenced to two (2) years and six (6) monthsimprisonment, along with a fine of GY$30,000.
CONVICTION-WINSTON THOMPSON Please be informed that on Thursday, June 20, 2024, Winston Thompson appeared before Magistrate Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where he was found guilty of the offences of possession of a narcotic to wit 298 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of prohibited plants to wit five thousand (5000) seedlings. He was sentenced to time served.
CONVICTION-GAVIN ADAMS Please be informed that on Friday, June 21, 2024, Gavin Adams appeared before Magistrate Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where he changed his plea to guilty for the offense of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit 3.348 kilograms of cocaine. He was sentenced to three (3) years of imprisonment.
TRIAL UPDATE: MARK ANTHONY THOMAS Please be informed that on Friday, June, 2024, Mark Anthony Thomas appeared before Magistrate Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty for the offenses of possession of a narcotic to wit 4.5 grams of cocaine and the obstruction of a CANU officer during the execution of his duties. He was granted bail in the sum of GY $60,000 in relation to the charge of obstruction of a CANU officer during the execution of his duties but was refused bail and remanded to prison until August 2, 2024, in relation to the charge of possession of a narcotic.
TRIAL UPDATE: LALBAHADUR BYJOO Please be informed that on Friday 14th June, 2024 Lalbahdur Byjoo appeared before Magistrate George at the Lenora Magistrate’s Court where he was charged for the offense of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit nine (9) kilograms of cannabis. He was remanded to prison until 30th July 2024.
CANU SEIZES A QUANTITY OF CANNABIS On Thursday, June 13, 2024, CANU officers conducted an operation in Parika, East Bank Essequibo area, where they intercepted a motor car. A subsequent search of the motor vehicle revealed several bulky parcels containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.Lalbahadur Byjoo, age sixty (60) of 1687 Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters along with the suspected narcotics, which tested positive for cannabis and weighed nine (9) kilograms. Investigations are ongoing
CONVICTION – SHERLON KISSOON Please be informed that on 4th June 2024, Sherlon Kissoon appeared before Magistrate Wilson at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, where he was found guilty in relation to the charge of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking to wit 600 grams of cannabis. He was sentenced to three (3) years of imprisonment and fined GY$450,000.
CONVICTION: SHAFEEK LATIFF AND NARESH TOTORAM Please be informed that on Tuesday 28th May, 2024 , Shafeek Latiff and Naresh Totoram appeared before Magistrate Ali at the Lenora Magistrate’s court where they were found guilty in relation to the charge of trafficking in narcotics to wit 42.844kgs of cannabis. They were both sentenced to three (3) years imprisonment and fined GY$38,541,600 each.
CONVICTION – LATCHMAN SANKAR On monday, 20th March, 2024, Latchman Sankar appeared before Magistrate Ally at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, where he was found guilty in relation to the charge of trafficking in narcotics to wit 27.866 kg of cocaine. Sankar was sentenced to three (3) years and eight (8) months imprisonment, together with a fine of GY $41,799,000
CANU Seizes a Quantity of Cocaine Date of Interception: Sunday 19 th May 2024 Place of Interception: Cummings Lodge, Georgetown On Sunday 19th May 2024, CANU Officers acting on information received, conducted an operation at Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown area, where they intercepted three (3) individuals; one (1) Guyanese and two (2) Venezuelans. A subsequent search revealed one (1) black haversack containing three (3) black brick-like parcels containing a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine. Gavin Adams, age fifty-four (54) years old, along with Venezuelan nationals Jose Gregorio Gomez, age thirty-five (35) years old, and Kevin De Jesus Figueira, age twenty-two (22) years old, were all arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters with the suspected narcotic, which tested positive for cocaine and weighed 3.348 kilograms.Investigations are ongoing.