In a significant enforcement operation, Guyanese authorities have intercepted a substantial mercury shipment valued at approximately GY$18 million (US$86,000) near the Surinamese border. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) announced the seizure on Monday, December 22, 2025, following the previous day’s interception at Crabwood Creek in the Corentyne region of Berbice.
According to CANU officials, the highly toxic substance was discovered concealed within a vehicle that had been stopped for inspection. “A comprehensive search of the intercepted vehicle revealed multiple parcels containing a strictly controlled and dangerous substance, subsequently identified as mercury,” the agency stated in its official release.
The apprehension led to the immediate arrest of the suspected smuggler, who was transported to CANU Headquarters for interrogation. Law enforcement authorities have indicated the individual remains in custody while actively cooperating with ongoing investigative procedures.
This interception occurs against the backdrop of Guyana’s intensified national campaign to virtually eliminate mercury usage in gold processing operations. The government initiative addresses grave environmental and public health concerns, as mercury contamination permeates ecosystems through atmospheric dispersion, water systems, marine life, and soil absorption, eventually entering the human food chain.
Following forensic examination and valuation, the confiscated mercury was transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources for specialized handling and environmentally secure disposal procedures. The cross-border smuggling attempt highlights persistent challenges in regulating hazardous materials within the region’s mining industry.