Guyana on ‘high’ alert after ganja vape seizure – CANU

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 January 2026, 22:39 by Writer

Several cannabis vape cartridges were seized on Thursday, prompting the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) to issue an early warning alert.

“Guyana’s Early Warning System (EWS), housed within the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit, also identifies these THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cartridges as high-risk emerging threats, particularly to minors,” CANU said.

The law enforcement agency said the cartridges could potentially be carrying poisonous chemicals. “Cannabis vapes expose users to high concentrations of THC and unknown chemical additives, which can cause serious short-term and long-term health problems. Because these products are often unregulated or counterfeit, the risks are significantly higher,” CANU added

The alert was issued after CANU agents on Thursday seized multiple branded THC cannabis vapes. “The seizure indicates an emerging shift toward the importation of high-potency cannabis concentrates disguised as consumer vape products.

The packaging is colourful, professionally printed, and designed to appeal to youths, increasing the risk of rapid spread if circulation is not contained,” the anti-drug agency said.

CANU said the chemical composition and potential contaminants remain unknown, and samples have been earmarked for laboratory analysis.

Under Guyana’s laws, CANU notes these substances are 100% illegal regardless of packaging, branding, or foreign “medical use” labels. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10, cannabis and its derivatives are listed as controlled substances. This classification includes the cannabis plant, cannabis resin, extracts and tinctures of cannabis, THC and any product containing THC. Live resin and THC vape oil fall directly under cannabis resin and extracts, which are prohibited.

CANU said as a result possession, trafficking, importation, or sale is illegal in Guyana.

The “for medical use only” labels on the boxes have no legal standing in Guyana and do not change the fact that the products are prohibited, CANU said.

Dealing with Thursday’s seizure, CANU said none of these labels corresponds to the Guyana Food and Drug Department, any local licensing authority, Guyana Forensics Laboratory testing or any legal cannabis framework in Guyana.

CANU says its Early Warning System tracks trends, packaging styles, chemical profiles, and trafficking patterns linked to concentrated cannabis products. Once flagged, the system issues alerts, guides frontline officers, and feeds actionable intelligence into national enforcement operations, the agency added.