HGP Nightly News – The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) delivered a relentless assault on crime in 2025, dismantling drug networks, seizing illegal firearms, cracking cybercrime rings, and pursuing deadly gangs across borders, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.
Addressing officers during the department’s Annual Awards Ceremony on Monday, Blanhum praised the dedication, professionalism, and results-driven work of CID ranks, noting that the year’s operations sent a clear message to criminals.
“Those recipients of awards have worked tirelessly this year to ensure our mandate, which is the prevention and detection of crime, is fulfilled without a reasonable doubt,” Blanhum said, as several ranks received awards and cash prizes for outstanding performance.
He was careful to remind officers who were not recognised that success in policing is collective, not individual.
“You are part of a team, and the success of the team is also your success,” he told ranks.
BORDERLESS CRIME, BORDERLESS POLICING
Blanhum said 2025 marked a turning point in collaboration, with CID strengthening ties with national, regional, and international law enforcement agencies.
“The fluency of collaboration was achieved and sustained during the year 2025,” he said.
That cooperation was most visible during Operation Orca, conducted between October 15 and November 30 with Guyana and other South American countries. Working alongside anti-crime patrol ranks, detectives removed 18 illegal firearms from circulation, prosecuting those found in unlawful possession.
CYBER PREDATORS EXPOSED, GANG LEADERS TARGETED
In one of the year’s most significant breakthroughs, Blanhum revealed that Guyana’s Cybercrime Unit, working with the Turkish National Police, dismantled an international online network involved in the distribution of child pornography.
The group included members of multiple nationalities. One Guyanese national, identified as an integral participant, was arrested and charged after admitting to exchanging child pornography videos and photographs with other members.
Blanhum also addressed the pursuit of the notorious R Gang, based in neighbouring Venezuela and responsible for the deadly Mobil Gas Station bombing in Guyana. Without prejudicing ongoing court proceedings, he confirmed that coordinated efforts are underway to arrest the gang’s two top leaders, both Venezuelan nationals, and have them prosecuted locally.
MURDER CASES MOVED, DRUGS AND WEAPONS OFF THE STREETS
The Crime Chief pointed to tangible investigative results, including suspects being charged in the murders of Jenny Mohamed, Ryan Fredericks, and Chandradeo Kumar Singh.
CID also intercepted significant quantities of weapons and military-grade equipment, including 24 tear smoke canisters, three tear gas hand grenades, one AK-47 magazine housing, one .32 magazine, and 28 live AK-47 rounds.
Drug enforcement efforts produced major seizures, including 26.7 pounds of cocaine valued at $18.1 million at Eugene F. Correia International Airport and 113.05 pounds of cannabis valued at $46.1 million at Wash Clothes Village, Mahaicony.
Beyond seizures, Blanhum highlighted the destruction of massive quantities of cannabis nationwide: $1 billion worth at Kuyorokuri Creek, Upper Berbice River; $250.4 million at Maria Henrietta, Zion, Kimbia; $688.6 million at Wilson Backdam; and $571.5 million at Wuruni Savannah, Upper Berbice River.
PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE
Blanhum said CID remains committed to improving detective performance through continuous training and stronger operational coordination, signalling that the department’s aggressive posture will continue.
The message from the awards ceremony was unmistakable: organised crime, cyber predators, drug traffickers, and violent gangs faced sustained pressure in 2025, and the CID intends to keep it that way.
