Surinamese police are investigating reports of a possible drug discovery among the seized shipment of Guyanese rice in Nickerie, but Police Chief Melvin Pinas says he has not received an official report confirming that drugs were found.
Suriname Herald reported yesterday that an unidentified white substance was reportedly discovered among the rice stored under police guard at the premises of Food and Agriculture Industries (FAI).
Pinas confirmed to the newspaper that he had dispatched a police team to the location, including the regional commander. He said he had spoken with the commander that morning but had not yet received an official notification or report establishing that drugs had actually been found. The nature and quantity of the substance were not confirmed in the report.
The development comes after authorities completed the unloading of the approximately 385-tonne shipment imported from Guyana by businessman Bhagwatpersad Ramadhin.
Starnieuws reported on Tuesday that the entire consignment had been removed from the vessel in Nickerie and transferred to FAI. Part was unloaded on Friday, while the remaining rice was removed from the port on Monday.
Authorities are separately investigating whether the rice was contaminated through its transportation alongside urea fertiliser. Starnieuws said neither contamination nor any resulting food safety risk had been established.
The shipment, destined for the B. Ramadhin Rice Factory in Nickerie, was seized following allegations that the importer had failed to obtain the required advance approvals.
Ramadhin subsequently withdrew urgent court proceedings seeking the release of the rice. He then asked Customs to withdraw his import document and permit the MV Falk to return the cargo to Guyana, citing mounting costs and the absence of approval from Suriname’s agriculture ministry.
As Kiskadee Watch reported on October 12, Ramadhin stated in his request that a judge had authorised the vessel’s departure. However, Starnieuws reported that the proceedings ended with the withdrawal of his case, without a substantive ruling or permission for the vessel to leave with the cargo.
The latest reports do not announce a decision to release, return or destroy the rice.
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