‘Our agencies are proactive’: National Security Advisor Gerry Gouveia counters alarm over 33 intercepted weapons

Jun 19, 2026 News

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By Khadidja Ba

(Kaieteur News) – National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia has strongly defended the capabilities and alertness of the state apparatus, asserting that the recent recovery of weapons highlights operational success rather than systemic vulnerability.

“The weapons were intercepted and seized by members of Guyana’s law enforcement and security agencies who work every day to protect our country and its citizens,” Gouveia stated. “Their actions prevented these illegal firearms from reaching their intended destination and potentially being used to threaten public safety.”

Gouveia rejected any assertions that the security architecture is failing, emphasising that the seizure proves active deterrence. “The successful seizure of these weapons demonstrates that our security agencies are vigilant, proactive, and capable of detecting, investigating, and disrupting criminal activity,” Gouveia added. “The fact that these firearms were found and removed from circulation is evidence of law enforcement action, not law enforcement inaction. A threat was identified, intercepted, and is now the subject of an active investigation.”

According to Gouveia, investigators are currently pursuing all available leads to map out the origins of the weapons, their intended recipients, and the broader criminal networks behind their distribution. He emphasised that the incident is receiving the “highest level of attention,” reiterating the government’s full confidence in its security personnel and promising to strengthen measures wherever vulnerabilities are found.

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond also outlined plans on Monday during the 31st Caribbean Port State Control Conference at the AC Marriott Hotel in Ogle. The government intends to implement a new Container Control Programme (CCP) specifically designed to intercept illegal cargo before it integrates into the country.

Minister Walrond emphasised that maritime security must be treated as a unified, inter-agency effort, stating “Port state control must be seen not only as a maritime administration function, but as part of a wider national security ecosystem.”

Kaieteur previously reported that in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, former Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe offered a different assessment. Slowe argued that the recovery of 33 assault rifles, where 32 had their serial numbers meticulously obliterated to conceal their origins, points directly to a highly organised, sophisticated criminal enterprise that threatens the stability of the state.

“Well, definitely the fact that 33 assault rifles can be discovered in such a relatively short space of time is cause for serious concern,” Slowe stated. “So, because you don’t know if this is just the tip of the iceberg, you don’t know the extent of the problem, so it is definitely a need for concern. We also don’t know the motive; we don’t know the reason why these weapons are in the country. Is it that they’re just in transit, passing through to go someplace else, or is it that they are intended to remain in Guyana?”

Slowe maintained that this volume of weaponry transcends routine crime. “This is no longer a strictly police or law enforcement issue. This has to be dealt with as a national security matter,” he asserted. “This is, in my view, this type and quantity of firearms cannot be intended for any small-time criminal activities… We’re talking about arming at least, based on what was discovered, 33 people. So, there ought to be some, maybe, some well-organised gang… It’s got to be some big network.”

Slowe leveled heavy criticism at the state narrative, which suggested the weapons were intercepted via intelligence-led operations but also noted they entered through official maritime wharves in Georgetown.

“It would appear as though the security forces are somewhat reactive in that they will tell us that these things are some intelligence-led operation,” Slowe remarked. “But if you have a proper intelligence system, then maybe they should be prevented because they too are suggesting that these things came through the wharves. Well, if they came through the wharves, why were they not detected at that point and prevented from entering into the country?”

Slowe concluded bluntly that the “failure is at the border; at the wharves,” questioning how many past shipments may have slipped through unnoticed. He noted that smugglers appear confident in exploiting Guyana’s poorly monitored borders and stated that a professional investigation must aggressively probe for internal corruption and potential collusion within state agencies.

“If you look at the picture, you realise that it is very, very worrying,” Slowe warned, noting that the national security architecture has failed to keep pace with the rapid economic transformation and shifting demographics of the country, specifically highlighting challenges tied to the influx of foreign nationals, such as Venezuelans, one of whom has been charged in connection with this discovery.

To dismantle the network, Slowe urged the government to look past political finger-pointing and call in international agencies like the FBI, Interpol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to utilize advanced forensics to restore the obliterated serial numbers and trace the manufacturing origins in the United States.

Despite his warnings about operational readiness and training, Slowe concluded on a reassuring note regarding state firepower: “The law enforcement agencies are well-armed… I don’t believe that the criminal networks that you have can outgun the law enforcement agencies that we have.”

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• Gerry Gouveia, national security, systemic vulnerability

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