Manufacture of cocaine-smuggling sub appeared well-organised

Last Updated on Friday, 15 August 2014, 18:53 by GxMedia

Guyanese soldiers and agents of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) believe that a well-organised group was behind the construction of a semi-submersible vessel that would have been used to smuggle a huge amount of cocaine from Guyana on a Trans-Atlantic route.

No illegal item was found aboard the vessel and no arrest was reported, CANU said.

Demerara Waves Online News was told that the discovery of the 65-feet long, 12 feet wide and seven feet deep vessel was being prepared to move a huge amount of cocaine possibly to West Africa because the narco-fight by the United States and Colombia has made it very difficult for cocaine-smuggling submarines to reach Central America and the southern shores of North America.

CANU said in a statement that the blue craft known as a Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) was found two miles in on one of the creeks branching off from the Waini River, North West District. There a camp consisting of three structures – accommodation, workshop area and generator. 

The anti-drug agency said the accommodation had the capacity to sleep approximately 12 persons. Law enforcers also found a kitchen area located within the accommodation. The workshop consisted of pulleys, power tools, paint, and several fiber glass materials.  Based on the items present, it is evident that this area was used to build the SPSS found in the creek.

CANU said the SPSS, upon closer inspection, was already fitted with a diesel engine and steering wheel, navigation and other machinery to deem it serviceable.  “Investigations are ongoing along with discussions with foreign counterparts as it relates to information sharing and assistance,” added CANU.

The anti-drug agency said the vessel was found “based on intelligence from an ongoing investigation.” Those involved were CANU agents as well as the GDF’s Special Forces, Coast Guard and Air Corps.