Is Methamphetamine legal in Guyana?
- Legal status
- Controlled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap 10:10 (Act No. 2 of 1988, as amended through 2021) — possession (s.4) fine ≥ G$30,000 or 3× market value + imprisonment 3–5 years; trafficking (s.5) heavier (exact statutory maximum not pinned in the cited source — verify); the statute is non-capital (maximum penalty is imprisonment)
- Consequences if caught
- Methamphetamine is controlled in Guyana under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap 10:10 (Act No. 2 of 1988, as amended through 2021). In Guyana, drugs fall under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap 10:10 (Act No. 2 of 1988, as amended through 2021). Possession (s.4) carries a fine of not less than G$30,000 or three times the market value of the narcotic, together with imprisonment of 3–5 years. Trafficking (s.5) is punished more heavily; the exact statutory maximum for trafficking is not pinned in the cited source and is not assumed here — verify the s.5 penalty. A 2021 reform — the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2021, in force 2022 — removed custodial sentences for small cannabis quantities: possession of up to 15 g of cannabis now draws mandatory counselling, and up to 30 g draws community service of up to 6 months, rather than imprisonment. Larger amounts and all trafficking remain criminal.
- If prescribed or medical
- Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.
- Documentation
- In Guyana, drugs fall under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap 10:10 (Act No. 2 of 1988, as amended through 2021). Possession (s.4) carries a fine of not less than G$30,000 or three times the market value of the narcotic, together with imprisonment of 3–5 years. Trafficking (s.5) is punished more heavily; the exact statutory maximum for trafficking is not pinned in the cited source and is not assumed here — verify the s.5 penalty. A 2021 reform — the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2021, in force 2022 — removed custodial sentences for small cannabis quantities: possession of up to 15 g of cannabis now draws mandatory counselling, and up to 30 g draws community service of up to 6 months, rather than imprisonment. Larger amounts and all trafficking remain criminal. Cannabis remains controlled, but the 2021 amendment removed custodial penalties for small quantities (up to 15 g → counselling; up to 30 g → community service ≤6 months); trafficking and larger amounts remain criminal. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap 10:10 (Act No. 2 of 1988, as amended through 2021), ss.4–5 + the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2021 (in force 2022)
- moha.gov.gy
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Guyana’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →
