Guyanese arrested, 6.8 tonnes cocaine seized aboard Guyana-flagged vessel off West African Coast

The Guyana-flagged vessel, SOLO, off the coast of West Africa, has been busted with 6.8 tonnes of cocaine, and four Guyanese were among six persons arrested, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The ministry said French authorities were given permission to board the vessel. “A subsequent search of the vessel led to the discovery of 6.3 tonnes of cocaine packaged in bales,” government said.

The vessel’s crew also comprised one Colombian and one Dominican who have also been detained, and investigations are actively underway.

Government said it reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime, particularly narcotics trafficking.

Following a request from the French authorities, and in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), authorization was granted on Saturday to board the SOLO.