LINDEN – In a major interdiction that saw a former parliamentarian arrested, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has detailed the dramatic moment a routine traffic stop became a massive narcotics bust, capturing over 310 kilograms (685 pounds) of cannabis.
The incident occurred at the Old Bamia Police Checkpoint in Linden around 8:41 PM on Monday, October 20, 2025. While conducting random stop-and-search duties, police ranks intercepted a dark blue Toyota Hiace minibus, BAJ 4486, which is registered as the property of the Region #10 Tourism Committee Inc.
Behind the wheel was Devin Sears, a 39-year-old Educator and Political Activist from Mackenzie, Linden, who served as a former MP for the AFC. He was accompanied by a 69-year-old passenger, Albert Sandy, a farmer.
The ‘Tourism Plants’ Cover-Up
According to the police statement, the driver, Sears, immediately began “acting in a suspicious manner (sweating profusely)” upon being stopped. When a rank asked what he was transporting, Sears allegedly replied, “I am transporting tourism plants.”
The rank then instructed a full search of the vehicle.The search revealed 22 bulky black plastic bags and four large brown canvas bags stuffed with leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. The total weight of the illegal substance was later confirmed at 310.71 kilograms.
Both men were told of the offense and arrested. The confession immediately split along the lines of ownership: Sears “remained silent,” while the passenger, Sandy, admitted ownership, stating he had paid Sears to transport the narcotics to Parika.
Both suspects are currently in custody at the Mackenzie Police Station, pending formal charges related to the massive drug haul. The incident not only highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking on the Soesdyke-Linden corridor but also casts a shadow over the Region 10 Tourism Committee Inc., which had recently unveiled the minibus as part of its GGI-sponsored capacity-building project to boost regional tourism.
