Police in ‘B’ Division have arrested a suspected drug dealer and seized two speedboats, 12 Yamaha outboard engines and other articles as they continued their drug eradication exercises in the Berbice River on Saturday.

The boats

Commander, Stephen Merai told the media yesterday that the two speedboats that were fitted with 200 horsepower (HP) engines along with some smaller engines were found at the home of the suspected dealer at De Veldt.

The suspect who is still in custody has denied knowledge of the items. Police are continuing investigations and may have to seek the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions to proceed with charges.

Merai said searches were conducted at the man’s home as well as the homes of other residents and they were found to be “well equipped.” Among the other items found were one Stihl motor-blower, a measuring scale and three power jacks.

Some of the other engines which ranged from eight to 200 HP were fitted on boats that were found moored in front of residents’ homes at De Veldt, Sand Hills, Tataballi and Gateroy 55 to 80 miles up the river. Many of the smaller boats were left behind because police could not transport them all.

The engines and other articles

The raids which started three weeks ago were conducted based on “intelligence” gathered and were part of an exercise to “cut down the drug trade,” according to the commander.

During those operations, several marijuana fields were destroyed along with about 30 to 40 pounds of compressed weed. Information received revealed that the articles belonged to the owners of the fields.

The commander said they have decided to “switch gears and go after the assets… which are the proceeds of the drug trade.”

He said the speedboats with the fully high-powered engines were used to transport the drugs especially during the nights. The boats are said to be faster than the police boats and can reach as far as Venezuela.

Berbice is said to be the largest drug producing area and drugs have been responsible for a number of crimes. It is also reaching the schools and Merai vowed that he would not sit back and allow drugs to destroy the society.

Apart from the man in custody no other resident was arrested and no one has turned up to claim the articles.