Georgetown: Officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) and the Port Control Unit (PCU) of the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) were late Tuesday afternoon seeking to ascertain the quantity, weight and estimated value of cocaine detected in shipments of charcoal discovered at Silver Hill, Linden Highway.
Based on information received from the PCU, a joint examination was conducted on the shipment scheduled to be exported to the United States of America after it was flagged for one hundred percent (100%) examination on March 11, 2015.
The shipment was scheduled for examination on March 13, at Silver Hill Linden Highway in the presence of the GRA’s Goods Examination Unit (GEU) and the PCU. However, the exporter did not present the consignment for examination on the scheduled date, indicating that he was experiencing some unforeseen difficulties.
As a result, the examination was rescheduled for March 30 and on the said day, a team consisting of Officers from LEID and the PCU proceeded to Silver Hill to conduct a one hundred percent (100%) examination of the consignment.
During the examination, Officers observed four strange objects in one of the bags which did not confirm with the description of the charcoals that were declared for export. As the objects were probed, a white powdery substance emanated. A field test was carried out on the substance in the presence of the exporter and tested positive for cocaine.
The examination process was immediately halted and the exporter was cautioned and detained as a result of the findings. The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) was contacted and informed of the discovery. Upon arrival at Silver Hill CANU Officers then secured the goods and proceeded to investigate further.
Approximately two thousand nine hundred (2,900) bags were secured in two 40ft containers to be inspected due to the volume of goods and security concerns raised.
Investigations are ongoing and the GRA will provide additional details as they unfold.
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