By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News
It has been five weeks since vital evidence—several kilos of cocaine—disappeared from police custody, and the silence from the top brass of the Guyana Police Force has been deafening.
Despite multiple media inquiries, there has been no public statement or update from the force regarding the missing narcotics, which were seized during an anti-drug operation in May 2021 following the crash landing of a foreign-registered aircraft in the Orealla Savannah.
Nightly News has confirmed that the drugs were discovered missing during a recent evidence handover at the storage bond. Following the discovery, tests were ordered on the remaining packages—and shockingly, investigators found that the contents were laced with flour, indicating tampering.
What is more troubling is the lack of transparency. The Guyana Police Force has refused to disclose the quantity or estimated value of the cocaine that has vanished.
The 2021 Drug Bust
The narcotics—1,000 pounds of cocaine packaged in 453 parcels—were originally seized from a Bonanza Beechcraft aircraft that crash-landed in the Orealla Savannah. Two Brazilian nationals, Salim Nrego Dean Carr and Andre Luis Pereira, were arrested at the scene. Residents had initially grown suspicious of the duo’s presence and alerted local ranks, leading to the drug discovery.
In addition to the cocaine, law enforcement also recovered two GPS devices, three cellphones, two forms of ID, and aircraft registration documents. The men were later charged and granted $3 million bail each after a stint behind bars.
Embarrassment and Silence
Sources close to the investigation have indicated to Nightly News that senior officials are embarrassed about the incident and are actively working to keep the matter out of the public spotlight. This media blackout raises serious questions about the integrity of the evidence handling systems within the Guyana Police Force.
At this time, there have been no reports of internal investigations, no suspensions, and no ranks held accountable—even though the disappearance of such a large quantity of seized narcotics is a direct blow to public trust and judicial integrity.
What Happens Next?
With no official update, it remains unclear whether any concrete steps are being taken to recover the missing drugs or discipline those responsible.
The Guyanese public is left in the dark, asking: Who is accountable when the police lose evidence of this critical nature?
