GEORGETOWN, Guyana – In a significant environmental enforcement operation, Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has apprehended an individual linked to a major mercury smuggling incident. The interception occurred on Sunday at Crabwood Creek in Corentyne, Berbice, where authorities discovered the highly toxic substance concealed within a vehicle crossing from neighboring Suriname.
The confiscated mercury, with an estimated street value of GUY$18 million (approximately US$72,000), represents a substantial threat to public health and environmental safety. CANU officials conducted a thorough search of the suspect vehicle, uncovering multiple parcels containing what was later confirmed to be mercury—a strictly controlled substance under Guyanese regulations.
This seizure aligns with Guyana’s ongoing national initiative to eliminate mercury use in gold processing operations. The toxic metal poses severe ecological risks as it contaminates air, water systems, marine life, and soil, eventually entering the human food chain. Mercury exposure can lead to serious neurological and health disorders, making its trafficking a high-priority concern for regulatory agencies.
Following the interception, the suspect remains in custody assisting with investigations. The seized mercury has been transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources for specialized processing and safe disposal procedures. This operation underscores the government’s strengthened commitment to combating environmental crimes and protecting public welfare through enhanced border surveillance and interagency cooperation.