Venezuelan men remanded over US$2.6M cocaine bust at Vergenoegen

The two Venezuelan nationals, who were intercepted by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) with over 1,000 pounds of cocaine in a boat have been remanded to prison.

Jose Felix Lindore and Javier Perez appeared before Magistrate Alicia George in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

The duo denied the charge, which stated that on March 29, 2024, at Vergenoegen, they had 1,181 pounds of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. The two Venezuelan nationals were remanded to prison until May 10, 2024.

Reports are that CANU and the GDF Coast Guard conducted a joint operation at Vergenoegen, which resulted in the interception of a go-fast vessel with Felix and Perez as occupants.

A search of the vessel led to the discovery of the large quantity of cocaine, along with an amount of fuel and other items. The street value of the cocaine in Guyana is estimated at US$2.6 million, with a potential street value of over €20 million if transhipped to its intended destination.