CANU probing possible Guyana link to BVI cocaine bust

The parcels of cocaine that were found. (BVI police photo)
The parcels of cocaine that were found. (BVI police photo)

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) has launched an investigation to determine whether a vessel on which a large amount of cocaine was seized in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is registered in Guyana.

BVI News yesterday reported that the BVI’s local law enforcement agency made a seizure of 44.20 kilogrammes of cocaine on the vessel, Krautsand, in Purcell Estate Tortola last Thursday, July 18th.

The narcotic was found concealed among bags of cement on Tortola.

The sacks of Thinset cement the parcels of cocaine were found in. (BVI police photo)

Three pallets containing 200 bags of cement were discovered and searched and 44.20 kilogrammes of cocaine were recovered and seized, BVI police said in a media release.

The discovery was the result of a joint operation between the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and Her Majesty’s Customs.

There are no reports of any arrests in connection with the find and investigations are continuing, BVI News reported.

A source told Stabroek News that CANU ranks were made aware of the discovery on the vessel and have launched an investigation.

According to information on Shipspotting.com, which is an online community for ship photos and related topics, Krautsand, which is a general cargo vessel, flies a Guyana flag and Georgetown is listed as its home port.