Guyanese woman, children charged following Brazil drug bust

One week after two Guyanese and two Brazilian nationals were held in Brazil with a huge quantity of compressed marijuana, another Guyanese family was on Thursday evening arrested with almost nine pounds of marijuana.

Those arrested are 49-year-old Khumwattie Narine Adams and her two children Abiola Adams, 28, and Joseph Adams, 25. They were subsequently charged with the act of trafficking and association for trafficking.

The mother and daughter were reportedly sent to the women’s jail while the son was taken to the Agricultural Penitentiary of Monte Cristo. He is also being investigated for his possible involvement in a murder in Brazil.

According to information received, the family was being monitored for about two months after an anonymous call revealed their involvement in drug trafficking. The group, according to the Drug Enforcement Agent, was supplying the capital with marijuana stocks.

At the time of their interception, some of the illicit drugs were found in the women’s handbag while the rest was found hidden inside the vehicle in which they were travelling.  In addition to the drugs, Brazilian authorities also found G$23,500, US$4 and BRL$242.

Several mobile phones belonging to the family were also seized. This publication understands that the family is well known in the Lethem/Brazil area for such activity.

In February, two Guyanese were among four persons arrested in Boa Vista, Brazil attempting to smuggle over 25 kilograms of compressed marijuana into the neighbouring country.

The dried illicit plant was found stashed in the doors of the vehicle in which they were travelling.

The men were identified as Eric Eldon Bobb, 34 and Clyve Lloyd King, 38 of Guyana and Jose Rodrigues Montague 58 while the lone female is Magdalene Romao, 30 of Brazil.

According to reports, Brazilian authorities say they received a tip that a quantity of drugs was expected to flood the market for Carnival celebrations.

The four persons were charged for trafficking and association for trafficking. The men were remanded to the Penitentiary Agricultural Monte Cristo in Brazil while the woman was referred to the Public Women Jail.

With the two recent busts, Guyanese Drug Enforcement Officers are working closely with the Brazilian authorities to put a dent in the drug trade which has now become rampant at that port of entry.