The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) last Friday destroyed approximately US$ 14.3 million in cocaine and cannabis that were seized from various operations in 2013.
The drugs are from cases that have been concluded and the offenders sentenced.
The exercise was done in a secured environment in the presence of heavily-armed officers on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, in the presence of media operatives.
A total of 401 kilograms of cocaine and 30.465 kilograms of cannabis were set alight.
Media presence
The sealed cocaine exhibits were opened in the presence of the media and were subsequently tested to verify that it was indeed cocaine being destroyed.
The illegal substance was innovatively stashed in Smalta bottles, post cards, fish feed, hand cream, electricity bulbs, Fern Leaf Milk tins and capsules that were excreted by cocaine mules.
At the eradication exercise, CANU Director James Singh explained that apart from the amount of cocaine being destroyed, there is still a lot more, but the court cases are still pending.
He explained that until the offenders are prosecuted and found guilty; those exhibits cannot be destroyed.
One such case is the cocaine in lumber at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, where more than 300 kilograms were unearthed.
Most of the drugs that were destroyed were seized at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) Wharf and during several raids.
Singh also added that a small portion of cannabis was seized at the Ogle International Airport.
Among the drugs destroyed was the 233 kilograms of cocaine unearthed in fish feed at the GNSC Wharf destined for China.
The street value of one kilogram of cocaine in China is estimated to be between US$ 100,000 to US$ 120,000.
New market
Singh added that drug traffickers are looking for new markets, noting that traditionally, it is smuggled to North America and Europe but of recent, it has been shipped to Africa and Asia, particularly China.
He noted that working with other law enforcement units and stakeholders including the Customs Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Police Narcotics Branch (PNB) have been very successful, reiterating that the collaboration has made it more difficult for drug traffickers.
While he is cognisant that Guyana is a major trans-shipment point for cocaine, he was unable to say on an average, the amount of drugs that pass through the country, but stated that the collective efforts of the various task forces established by the Home Affairs Ministry and other units have put a dent on the drug trade.
