GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) -The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in Guyana says one person is assisting its investigations after mercury, valued at GUY$18 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents), was smuggled into the country from neighbouring Suriname.

CANU said that the mercury was intercepted on Sunday at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to the agency, Guyana is working to eliminate the use of mercury, which is highly toxic, from the processing of gold because it gets into the food chain through air, water, marine species such as fish, and the soil.

It said that the seized product was found in a car shortly after it was intercepted.

“A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of several parcels of a highly toxic and strictly controlled substance, which was later confirmed to be mercury,” CANU said in a statement.

It said that the suspect had been detained and that a preliminary evaluation revealed that the seized substance has an estimated street value of GUY$18 million.

It said the substance was then handed over to the Ministry of Natural Resources for “specialised processing and disposal”.