Narco-sub was built to fetch tons of cocaine

– Home Affairs Ministry

The Home Affairs Ministry in Guyana has commended the security forces for the discovery of a blue Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) vessel in a creek along the Waini River, North West District last Thursday, contending that the vessel was built to transport tonnes of cocaine.

The blue Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible was found by the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Special Forces, Coast Guard and Air Corps

The Ministry in a release, said this was the first time a SPSS was found in Guyana, and was built to trans-ship tonnes of narcotics/contraband, smuggled into the country, possibly for onward movement through the north-west coast onto the Trans-Atlantic route.

“The Ministry applauds the work of the security operatives and reaffirms its commitment to regional and international cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect in the fight against the world drug problem,” the release said.

The semi-submersible craft is believed to have links with a Colombian drug cartel.

The Colombian drug dealers are known to use this innovative technology to ship narcotics across the Caribbean and the US.

CANU Director James Singh, who headed the search operations that led to the discovery of the vessel, could not confirm whether there is indeed a connection.

He told Guyana Times International that investigations are currently ongoing and no more information can be disclosed to the public at this time.

According to CANU, the craft was already fitted with a diesel engine and steering wheel, navigation and other machinery to deem it serviceable. However, no contraband was on board the SPSS.

CANU, along with the GDF, acting on intelligence from an ongoing investigation conducted an operation along the Waini River.

During a search of one of the creeks branching off from the Waini, the vessel was discovered about two miles in, along with a camp consisting of three structures – accommodation, workshop area and generator. The accommodation had the capacity to sleep approximately 12 persons.

In addition, there was also a kitchen area located within the accommodation. The workshop consisted of pulleys, power tools, paint, and several fibre-glass materials. Based on the items present, it is believed that the SPSS found in the creek was built in the area.