Four suspects in custody in connection with Belgium drug bust

– warrant out for a fifth suspect

Four suspects are currently in custody in connection with the shipment of cocaine that was seized in Belgium.

Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Robeson Benn made this disclosure today, following the official launch of the reconstituted Community Policing Groups at the Guyana Police Training Centre, Eve Leary.

The 11.5 tonnes (over 25,000 pounds) of cocaine which was discovered by Belgium’s law enforcement, was disguised as scrap metal in a container which left Georgetown in late September.  

Minister Benn said this crime was planned over an extended period of time.

“At least four persons are in custody and are being interviewed. There is a warrant out for a particular individual in respect of the matter. We have assured the European, Belgium and United States’ authorities of our vigorous engagement of coming to terms and discovering perpetrators who committed this crime,” Minister Benn explained.

According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), 12 similar containers were scanned by staff of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), with no evidence of narcotics or tampering of seals.

“We are extremely alarmed of the shipment being allowed to pass through the surveillance systems in terms of container scanners and checks,” Minister Benn added.

The shipment has an estimated street value of GY$222.75 billion.