Major drug busts in Bartica, Mahdia, suspects in custody
January 23 2026
Police in Regional Divisions Seven and Eight have launched investigations following the discovery of quantities of suspected cannabis during a series of intelligence-led operations carried out between January 22 and 23, 2026.
In Region seven, ranks conducted an operation on Friday, January 23, between 10:30 hrs and 11:20 hrs at Fifth Avenue, Bartica, Essequibo River. During a search of the residence of a 40-year-old self-employed man, police discovered thirteen zip-lock parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis in the living room area. Further searches led to the discovery of $3,009,440 in Guyana currency.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the Bartica Police Station, where the suspected cannabis was weighed in his presence and amounted to 23.2 grams. The narcotics and cash were lodged as investigations continue. The man remains in police custody.
In a separate operation at the same location and time, police searched the residence of a 37-year-old self-employed woman. A black plastic bag containing a transparent parcel with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found concealed inside a wardrobe. The suspect was arrested and escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where the substance was weighed in her presence and amounted to 351.6 grams. She remains in custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in Region #8, police are investigating another discovery made on Thursday, January 22, between 12:30 hrs and 13:30 hrs at Mahdia Arcade. During searches in the area, ranks found a bulky black plastic bag hidden inside an old refrigerator in an abandoned yard.
The bag contained leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, along with one transparent plastic bag holding ninety-four small zip-lock bags of suspected cannabis. The items were taken to the Mahdia Police Station, where they were weighed and amounted to 135 grams before being lodged.
No arrests were made in the Mahdia operation. Investigations in all three incidents are ongoing.
(Guyana Police Force)
