An intelligence-led operation conducted by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) in Tabatinga on Tuesday resulted in the seizure of narcotics, uncustomed liquor, stolen motorcycles, and large sums of currency, culminating in the arrest of local resident Marlon Jarvis as investigations continue.
According to CANU, officers acted on intelligence and conducted a search in a bush area opposite a property occupied by Jarvis. There, they discovered multiple zip-lock bags containing suspected cannabis. A man who identified himself as Alim Kartel was also detained and questioned regarding the narcotics found.
During the interview with Kartel, officers received information that led them to seek permission to search Jarvis’s premises. After Jarvis declined to allow the search, CANU obtained a lawful search warrant from the Lethem Magistrates’ Court. With support from the Guyana Fire Service, officers accessed two structures within the compound, which included a two-storey building and a concrete shop.
In the shop, CANU ranks found cannabis packaged in zip-lock bags, empty zip-lock bags, digital scales typically used in drug distribution, and uncustomed liquor. Further searches of the two-storey building yielded additional uncustomed liquor, pink-colored pills suspected to be ecstasy (MDMA), as well as local and foreign currencies and yellow metal.
In another section of the yard, officers found more zip-lock bags containing cannabis alongside four motorcycles, which subsequent checks confirmed as stolen in Brazil. At the time of the search, no occupants were present, and the operation was recorded using body-worn cameras.
Officers from the Guyana Revenue Authority arrived to take possession of the uncustomed liquor. When Marlon Jarvis returned to the site, he was cautioned, arrested, and taken to the Lethem Police Station with the seized narcotics, currencies, yellow metal, and other items, all of which were secured as evidence.
At the police station, the confiscated narcotics were weighed, totaling 519 grams and 1.626 kilograms of cannabis, along with 65 grams of ecstasy. The total currencies counted amounted to G$2,174,600, US$572, TT$100, £45, €30, and R$5,416. A quantity of uncustomed goods was also seized during this comprehensive operation.
Both Jarvis and Kartel were escorted to the Lethem Police Station as investigations progress. CANU remains committed to collaborating with local and international law enforcement agencies to disrupt narcotics trafficking and associated criminal activities. Further updates are anticipated as the investigation unfolds.
