Georgetown, Guyana — Guyana’s fight against narcotics is entering a new and dangerous phase, with traffickers turning to increasingly sophisticated methods to outmaneuver law enforcement. But the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) insists it is not only keeping pace, but gaining global recognition as one of the region’s toughest counter-narcotics agencies.
The latest episode of Safeguarding Our Nation pulls back the curtain on CANU’s operations, revealing how smugglers are now using low-flying aircraft, post-clearance contamination of shipping containers, and new maritime routes to sneak drugs past security. These shifting tactics underscore the high stakes in a battle that Director James Singh says is as much about national security as it is about crime.
“Drug trafficking threatens our national security, our economy, and our international reputation,” Singh declared. “Our job is to detect, disrupt, and dismantle these networks, and we are doing so with increasing success. International confidence in CANU is stronger than ever.”
CANU’s strategy hinges on adaptation. Surveillance technology has been upgraded, officers are receiving advanced training, and intelligence-sharing is expanding beyond Guyana’s borders. Today, the unit works in lockstep with the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, and Guyana Revenue Authority, while also deepening ties with CARICOM partners and global agencies such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and Canada’s Royal Mounted Police (RCMP).
But the fight has grown personal. Singh recently confirmed that he received credible death threats from an international criminal network, a chilling reminder of the risks faced by those on the frontline. “We will not be intimidated,” he insisted.
“This is proof that our operations are working. We are being taken seriously, and that is exactly the message we want to send.” Beyond interdiction, CANU is striking at the roots of the trade. Its Drug Information Network has been rolling out prevention programmes, while tips from the public remain crucial to successful busts.
Looking ahead, the agency is preparing for new challenges, including synthetic drugs and the rise of transnational trafficking rings that stretch across continents.Episode 9 of Safeguarding Our Nation closes with a stark message: the drug war is evolving, but so too is CANU. And for Director Singh and his officers, the threats they face are a sign of progress; proof that traffickers are feeling the pressure of a relentless fight.
