IN a major crackdown on the illegal drug trade, ranks from the Guyana Police Force’s Narcotics Branch and Regional Division Six destroyed more than $409 million worth of cannabis during two successful eradication exercises carried out on Sunday in the Upper Berbice River.

The first exercise took place at Zion, where police uncovered approximately two acres of land prepared for cannabis cultivation. A nearby makeshift camp, measuring about 30 by 20 feet, was also found. The camp contained both a living and kitchen area, along with a drying site where roughly 350 pounds of dried cannabis were stored. The camp and cannabis were destroyed by fire. The value of the drugs destroyed at this site was estimated at $142.8 million.

Later that morning, between 05:00 hrs and 10:20 hrs, officers moved to Kalkuni, where they discovered another two-acre plot containing about 3,000 cannabis plants, ranging in height from two to seven feet. A second camp and drying area, also 30 by 20 feet in size, was located nearby. Inside, ranks found around 650 pounds of dried cannabis, along with two unlicensed 12-gauge shotguns and 19 matching cartridges.

The firearms, which bore no visible serial numbers, were seized and transported to the Narcotics Branch for ballistic testing. The camp, dried cannabis, and cultivated plants were all destroyed on site by fire. The estimated value of the drugs eliminated during this operation stood at $266.3 million.

Together, the two exercises resulted in the destruction of cannabis valued at more than $409 million. Police confirmed that the operations were conducted without incident.

Authorities have emphasised that such eradication drives form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the narcotics trade and ensure public safety, particularly in hinterland communities where illegal cultivation often thrives.