Cocaine in Suriname not linked to Guyana – CANU

There is no indication that the 115 kilograms of cocaine found in Suriname last Wednesday passed through Guyana. Surinamese authorities, however, have alleged that the large quantity of cocaine may have emanated from Guyana.

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, James Singh, speaking to Guyana Times International last Friday, said there is nothing yet to suggest that the drugs passed through Guyana. He added that CANU was investigating, since it was impossible for the drugs to pass undetected through the Canawaima Ferry Stelling — the legal port of entry between Guyana and Suriname.

He said CANU and Surinamese police were collaborating to find any connection that may bring a breakthrough in identifying elements that may be involved in a regional drug trade.

However, information gathered so far brings the backtrack river taxi service under scrutiny, since this could be the only point through which the drug could have been transported, Singh said.

The backtrack river taxi service is a semi-legal port of entry located at Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice. Despite efforts by the Guyana government to shut down the service, which has long been deemed dangerous, persons still opt to use it to get to neighbouring Suriname in a matter of minutes. This port is also unpoliced, and there are reports of guns, ammunition, drugs, and other illegal commodities being passed through it.

Meantime, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, speaking to Guyana Times International, said that no one has been arrested in Guyana in relation to this drug bust, but police are investigating in collaboration with CANU. Units of the Judicial Service of the Police Corps of Suriname last Tuesday seized 115 kilograms of cocaine following a sting operation.

Four suspects, including a woman, were arrested.

The suspects are between 20 and 40 years old, and all have Surinamese nationality, Suriname’s Star Nieuws reported.

According to the report, a special team of the Anti-Narcotics Brigade, the Intelligence Narcotics Unit, and members of the arrest team on Tuesday went to various locations, where the persons were arrested and drugs seized. The head of the Judicial Service, Commissioner Krishna Hussainali-Mathoera, reported that the illegal substance is suspected to be coming from Guyana to Nickerie, and it was then transported by road to Paramaribo.