Venezuelan, Colombian charged after 55 kg cocaine found in vehicle at Providence

A Venezuelan and a Colombian have been charged following the discovery of more than 55 kilograms of cocaine in a vehicle at Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara. The men, Gerardo Martinez, a Venezuelan and Revelino Achicue Ascue, a Colombian, were arrested after ranks attached to the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) intercepted a motor vehicle during an operation conducted on Friday, July 24, 2026. According to CANU, a search of the vehicle uncovered 50 brick-like parcels of cocaine weighing a total of 55.296 kilograms. On Tuesday, the men appeared before Magistrate Bess at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court. Ascue pleaded guilty to the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge and was sentenced to four years imprisonment. He was also fined $82,944,000. Martinez, however, pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison. CANU said several other foreign and Guyanese nationals remain in custody as investigations continue.