By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News |
A resident of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, is accusing officers attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) of unlawfully entering his home and brutally assaulting him during a raid that allegedly left him hospitalised with serious injuries, despite no narcotics being found.
Howard Johnson claims the incident occurred on January 16, 2026, while he was at home preparing a meal for his father. According to Johnson, CANU ranks entered his residence without a warrant and proceeded to assault him in full view of his father and other minor relatives.
Johnson alleges that during the encounter, officers accused him of “disrespecting the unit” before launching the attack. He claims the beating resulted in a broken rib, multiple lacerations, and other injuries that required him to be hospitalised for five days at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The La Grange man further contends that no drugs or illegal substances were discovered during the operation, raising serious concerns about the justification for the raid and the force allegedly used against him.
According to Johnson, this was not the first time his home had been targeted. He says CANU officers had previously entered his residence during an earlier operation, though no action was taken against him on that occasion either.
Since being discharged from hospital, Johnson says he has received no explanation, apology, or follow-up from CANU regarding the incident. He maintains that the experience has left him traumatised, particularly because the alleged assault occurred in front of his family members.
Johnson has since sought legal counsel, and the matter is now expected to move into the legal arena, where the lawfulness of the officers’ actions and the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault are likely to be closely examined.
At the time of reporting, no official statement had been issued by CANU in response to the allegations.
