Shadow Minister Chandan-Edmond calls on Govt to update nation on cocaine bust

Former Magistrate, Ms Geeta Chandan-Edmond and A Partnership of National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament Is calling on the Government and Customs and Anti-narcotics Unit (CANU) to update the nation and the world on the investigation into the recent drug bust involving Guyanese and a vessel with registered in Guyana. 

Chandan-Edmond in a statement said the Government must cease its silence and inform the nation on the status of the recent international drug bust that subjected  Guyana, yet again, to international infamy. 

‘I have noted the eerie and worrying silence by the Government  of Guyana and it ought to be of concern to all right thinking Guyanese. The former magistrate said ‘it is useful to remind us all that seven (7) days have elapsed since agents of Spain’s National Police and Tax Agency Customs Surveillance seized a ton of cocaine in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Verde on a fishing boat bound for Spain.’ In the operation, six crew members: four (4) Guyanese and two (2) Albanians were arrested. The agents observed that the boat, named Mathieu, is registered in Guyana.’ 

Thé APNU+AFC Shadow Minister of Home Affairs further stated that  ‘Subsequent to this development, the Head of the Customs and Anti-narcotics Unit (CANU) told the nation that his agency was pursuing the investigation.’ 

The parliamentarian noted  that ‘to date, seven days later, there is no word on the purported investigation. This is regrettable, she said, “considering that Guyana has been labelled an international hub for drug smuggling.’ 

Four Guyanese and two Albanians were taken into Custody by Spanish Authorities during the last week of September 2023,  after  2000 pounds of cocaine was found aboard the Guyanese register vessel. Guyana authorities were asked to confirm the registration of this vessel in her country and to authorise its transfer to the nearest Spanish port.