Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit officers intercepted the Barbados-registered cargo vessel CV 1 Barbados at the GNIC Wharf on Lombard Street in Georgetown.[1] Six crew members aboard the vessel, two Barbadians and four Guyanese, were arrested.[2] Barbadian seaman Michael Forde pleaded guilty to possession of narcotics for trafficking.[1] A Georgetown court fined Forde $51.9 million and sentenced him to three years in prison.[2] After his guilty plea, prosecutors withdrew the identical trafficking charges against Trevor Robinson, Randy Welch and Hardat Monilall.[1] The charges against the two absent crew members, Clyde Outridge and James Emptage, were also withdrawn.[1]

Officers found 71 parcels of marijuana weighing 69.246 kg, equivalent to 152 pounds.[2] The vessel was first searched on 6 October 2020 and again on 7 October 2020.[2] The parcels were uncovered during the second search, concealed in a section of the vessel.[2] The marijuana had been cemented in false compartments created during supposed extensive repairs while the vessel was in Guyana.[3] The vessel was destined for Barbados and had been in Guyana for several weeks undergoing repairs while docked.[1]

The anti-narcotics agency described the seizure as part of an ongoing operation involving external agencies.[3] The agency prosecutor said Welch had been charged with aiding and abetting trafficking while the others faced trafficking charges.[3]