CANU issues alert for ecstasy

Jan 30, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – The Customs Anti-Narcotics Units (CANU) has issued an alert for ecstasy and has reminded citizens of the risks associated with the drug.

In a statement via the Guyana Early Warning System – EWS – Rapid Alerts Facebook page CANU said that it wishes to inform the general public that there has been the detection of pills that are suspected to be MDMA which is commonly known as ecstasy in country.

“During a law-enforcement operation conducted at Tabatinga, Lethem, officers discovered tablets which, upon preliminary field testing, showed a positive indication for amphetamine-type stimulants, consistent with MDMA. Further analysis is ongoing,” CANU added.

The pills recently discovered by CANU.

A Public Health and Safety Advisory was also issued in the same statement to inform person that MDMA is a controlled substance under the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10, and the possession, use, distribution, or trafficking is illegal in Guyana.

The use of ecstasy poses serious health risks, particularly because, the strength as well as the composition of the tablets is unpredictable, and pills maybe mixed with other harmful substances. The risks associated with the use of this drug significantly increase when it is mixed with other drugs or even alcohol.

Some of the adverse effects reported so far include, rapid heart rate, severe dehydration, dangerous overheating or hyperthermia, confusion, agitation, elevated blood pressure, seizures, collapse and loss of consciousness.

In this light CANU is strongly advising against the consumption of unknown or illicit pills marketed as “ecstasy,” “MDMA,” or similar names. “Anyone experiencing severe symptoms after suspected drug use should seek immediate medical attention. Information relating to the sale, distribution, or movement of illicit drugs should be reported to CANU or the nearest police station,” CANU further stated.

In addition, there is ongoing monitoring by the Guyana EWS on these emerging drug trends and further advisories will be issues as needed to protect public health and safety. This alert is issued in the interest of public awareness and harm prevention. Reports can be made confidentially via.

Tel: 592-227-3503 / 592-226-0431. Email: [guyana_ews@canu.gov.gy](mailto:guyana_ews@canu.gov.gy).

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CANU, Ecstasy, Lethem, narcotics, Tabatinga

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