An intelligence-led operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) in Tabatinga, Lethem, on Tuesday resulted in the seizure of narcotics, uncustomed liquor, stolen motorcycles and large sums of local and foreign currency, and led to the arrest of a local resident as investigations continue.
According to CANU, officers acting on intelligence conducted a search in a clump of bush located opposite a premises occupied by Marlon Jarvis, where they discovered multiple zip-lock bags containing suspected cannabis. A man who identified himself as Alim Kartel was detained at the scene and questioned in relation to the discovery. Information obtained during that interview prompted officers to pursue a search of the nearby premises.
Jarvis reportedly declined to allow officers to search the property, after which CANU lawfully obtained a search warrant from the Lethem Magistrates’ Court. With assistance from the Guyana Fire Service, officers gained access to two structures within the compound, a two-storey building and a concrete shop.
During the search of the shop, CANU ranks found cannabis packaged in zip-lock bags, a quantity of empty zip-lock bags, digital scales commonly associated with drug distribution, and a quantity of uncustomed liquor. Further searches of the two-storey building uncovered additional uncustomed liquor, pink-coloured pills suspected to be ecstasy (MDMA), quantities of local and foreign currencies, and a quantity of yellow metal.
In another section of the yard, officers discovered more zip-lock bags containing cannabis along with four motorcycles. Subsequent checks confirmed that the motorcycles had been reported stolen in Brazil. No occupants were present at the premises at the time of the search, and CANU noted that the entire operation was recorded using officers’ body-worn cameras.
Officers from the Guyana Revenue Authority were called to the scene and took possession of the uncustomed liquor. While that process was underway, Marlon Jarvis arrived at the premises. He was cautioned, arrested, and escorted to the Lethem Police Station along with the narcotics, currencies, yellow metal and other items, all of which were lodged as exhibits.
At the police station, the narcotics were weighed and recorded, amounting to 519 grams and 1.626 kilograms of cannabis, along with 65 grams of ecstasy. The currencies counted in Jarvis’s presence totalled G$2,174,600, US$572, TT$100, £45, €30 and R$5,416. A quantity of uncustomed goods was also seized during the operation.
Both Marlon Jarvis and Alim Kartel were escorted to the Lethem Police Station as investigations continue. CANU said it remains committed to working closely with local and international law enforcement partners to disrupt narcotics trafficking and related criminal activities.
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