Cops in shootout during Ituni drug operation

The three AK-47 rifle magazines, rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition, and telescopic night vision lens recovered by police after a shootout during a drug eradication exercise at 15 Miles, Ituni Backdam on Thursday afternoon. (Guyana Police Force Photo)

Police ranks came under fire during a drug eradication operation at 15 Miles, Ituni Backdam on Thursday afternoon.

The three AK-47 rifle magazines, rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition, and telescopic night vision lens recovered by police after a shootout during a drug eradication exercise at 15 Miles, Ituni Backdam on Thursday afternoon. (Guyana Police Force Photo)
The three AK-47 rifle magazines, rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition, and telescopic night vision lens recovered by police after a shootout during a drug eradication exercise at 15 Miles, Ituni Backdam on Thursday afternoon. (Guyana Police Force Photo)

Four men are now in custody following a shootout that ensued, while two others managed to escape. Ten fields comprising about 5,000 cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants, ranging in height between

1 foot and 7 feet, were found and destroyed along with three camps in the area, the police force reported yesterday.

“During the operation the police ranks came under fire and returned fire as a result,” the force said.

Police, however, managed to arrest four men and recover 271 rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition, three AK-47 rifle magazines and a telescopic night vision lens.