GEORGETOWN – In a major drug bust, two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks in uniform were apprehended with 316 pounds of narcotics during a intelligence-led operation by the Special Branch and other police units.

The operation took place around 21:20 hrs Saturday night. Acting on received intelligence, Special Branch officers and other ranks intercepted a Route 42 motor bus (#BTT 27) on Mandela Avenue, behind the botanical garden. The bus was owned and driven by Edward McCalmont, a 40-year-old Corporal of the GDF stationed at Camp Ayanganna and residing in Kaneville, EBD. Also in the bus was John Johnson, a 24-year-old Lance Corporal from Base Camp Stephenson, residing in Timehri, EBD. Both men were in full uniform at the time of the arrest.

The police informed the men of the reason for the stop, citing intelligence that suggested they were involved in narcotics trafficking. A search of the bus, conducted in the presence of the two GDF ranks, revealed forty-nine large parcels wrapped in transparent plastic on the bus seats. Upon opening the parcels, the police discovered a substance consisting of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. Both soldiers were informed of their alleged offense, arrested, and cautioned.

The GDF ranks, along with the bus and the seized narcotics, were transported to the East La Penitence Police Station. The cannabis, when weighed, totaled 316 pounds. The soldiers remain in custody as investigations continue.  This drug bust follows a similar operation last week in which two other GDF ranks, Staff Sergeant Adisa Higgins and Sergeant Clovis Sam, were arrested with 154 pounds of cannabis. (Newsroom)…[+]