CANU warns public after suspected cannabis-infused drinks seized at CJIA

The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) has issued a public alert following the interception of 222 cans of suspected THC-laced beverages at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The seizure was made on Wednesday through the Guyana Early Warning System (EWS) after the drinks were reportedly discovered hidden in storage bins packed with clothing, paper bags, and other assorted items.

According to CANU, the products are believed to be cannabis-infused beverages manufactured in the United States. Authorities said the drinks were packaged to look like regular soft drinks, a feature that makes them harder to detect and potentially more appealing to younger consumers.

The agency said the findings point to a changing smuggling trend, with traffickers increasingly using low-odour, consumer-style cannabis products to move illegal substances into Guyana through cargo shipments.

CANU reminded the public that, regardless of whether such products are allowed in other countries, cannabis and all cannabis-derived items, including THC-infused beverages, remain illegal in Guyana under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10.

The agency warned that anyone found importing, possessing, or distributing these products could face criminal charges.

Officials also sounded the alarm over the health risks linked to the drinks, noting that they may cause intoxication, impaired judgment, panic attacks, hallucinations and, in some cases, overdose. CANU said beverages of this kind can be especially dangerous for first-time users and young people.

Another major concern, the agency said, is that the cans can easily be mistaken for ordinary beverages, raising the risk that children or teenagers may consume them without knowing what they contain.

CANU is urging members of the public to stay alert, avoid consuming suspicious imported drinks or edible items, and carefully examine unfamiliar canned products, especially those with unusual labels or branding.

Parents and guardians are also being encouraged to pay closer attention to the products accessible to children and teenagers.

Anyone with information about suspicious products is asked to contact CANU confidentially at 592-227-3503 or 592-226-0431, or by email at guyana_ews@canu.gov.gy.