2005-01-nieuwsbronnen-engels

Armed police chased away by angry crowd in Guyana

Singh and the police on the street after being denied entry to Channel Six

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: According to a report from the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) in Guyana, heavily armed police on Friday evening swooped down on a privately-owned television station CNS Channel Six, after it resumed transmission on the advice of its lawyers.

The ACM report stated that authorities seized transmission equipment, closed the station and suspended its license for a month one week ago, accusing its owner, C.N. Sharma, of attempting to incite people to rebel against the government's alleged bias distribution of food and water to victims of a recent disastrous flood which forced authorities to appeal for international and regional assistance.

President Jagdeo's Government and Channel Six are at loggerheads over
reports on the relief operations

CNS Channel Six was closed on the order of a Lay Justice of the Peace on Saturday, the 22nd day of January this year. Attorneys say only the high court could issue such an order. They intend to defy the order until one is produced, and have called the government's behaviour a threat to press freedom, democracy and Sharma's constitutional rights.

Meanwhile, one police officer told Caribbean Net News that when Sharma's station was taken off the air, the government then sent Valmikki Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) to seize the equipment.

However, when Singh and the lawmen showed up at the station they were prevented from entering the premises as hundreds of angry citizens barricaded the premises, thus preventing the police from entering the building and seizing the equipment which Sharma had borrowed in order to resume transmission.

Clearly upset by the reaction of the massive crowd, the government is reported to have sent a crew from the local power company to cut the electrical power which was sourcing the building, but they too met with stiff resistance and were chased away, as the angry crowd attempted to overturn the utility vehicle. One electrical worker at the power station confirmed to Caribbean Net News that power was then cut to an entire area, including the station, forcing it to end transmission.

Speaking to Caribbean Net News, Sharma remained undaunted and vowed to continue. He has called for solidarity and is seeking support from the local and international media fraternity in his continued battle against the government of President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Channel Six employees said this is the third time in two years the station has been closed under new draconian regulations vested in the Office of the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

HBTV Channel Nine, a network closely affiliated to the main opposition Peoples National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) had a similar experience during this period. It has been reported that stations considered close to the government are immune from these regulations, causing unease and bitterness in the society. (by Norman 'Gus' Thomas, Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent)

Lascelles Chin (left), Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of the LASCO group of companies,
presents Detective Constable Michael Grant with the 'Police Officer of the Year' trophy at the award
ceremony held Tuesday, January 25, 2004l in Kingston

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Detective Constable Michael Grant of the Police Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) in Kingston, is the 2004 LASCO Top Cop.

Detective Grant, who is the sub officer in charge of the Fingerprint Bureau, topped a field of 27 nominees and 11 finalists from across the island. Inspector Errol Thompson from the police training branch in Twickenham Park was the runner-up.

At the announcement and award ceremony held Tuesday, Detective Grant and Inspector Thompson received cash awards of $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, along with other prizes from LASCO. 'Rookie of the Year' award went to Constable Odale Mullings from the Clarendon division, who received a trophy.

The 'Top Cop' recipient has been a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for over 20 years and was selected based on his exemplary service and exceptional performances while carrying out his duties. "I am extremely elated, grateful and humbled this evening. This award certainly personifies the old adage, 'it takes a village to raise a child'," Detective Grant told the gathering in his acceptance speech.

Keynote speaker at the function, Olympian Donald Quarrie, congratulated the finalists and highlighted the importance of the police in community development. "Police involvement in the community is of utmost importance as it not only preserves the community but paves the way for future officers," he stated. Mr. Quarrie, whose father was a policeman, urged the officers to continue to teach the youth how to deal with their conflicts without violence and called on the police to respect each other. "Although we hear the negatives, we never hear the good side. We must continue to teach our young people how to solve their problems without violence and the police must have respect for each other", he said.

Derrick Kellier, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, highlighted the work being done to improve efficiency in the force. "To meet the new challenges of policing the 21st Century, the force has been doing more than its fair share of self-examination and re-engineering. Personnel is continuously being retrained and skills upgraded, recruitment programmes are on in earnest and infrastructure is being improved," he pointed out. He also congratulated the finalists, noting that, "your hard work, dedication and resourcefulness have been instrumental in improving and modernising our police force."

Lascelles Chin, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the LASCO group, also commended the finalists and expressed the importance of the award to his company and Jamaica. "The Police Officer of the Year award is a programme that I care about deeply as it highlights the achievements and rewards those who protect the citizens of our nation. The Police Officer of the year award focuses on what is great about being Jamaican," he stated.

Established in 2000, the competition seeks to reward police officers whose professional conduct and civic involvement have distinguished him or her as an officer of note. The winner of last year's competition was Sergeant Polly-Anna Brown-Mullings.

SVG Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs Selmon Walters has called on Vincentian police to be more confidential

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent: A call has been made for police officers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to hold in confidence the names and identities of civilians who communicate to them information about criminals and their activities.

The appeal came from Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Social Development Selmon Walters on Monday January 24 at a prayer breakfast. The event was organised by the National Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP) and was held at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Edinboro on the outskirts of capital city Kingstown.

It was intended to provide a forum in which the NCCP, church leaders and government officials could suggest ways of curbing the increasing crime rate in SVG and especially the increase in violent crimes.

Minister Walter noted that the NCCP has a mandate not to solve crime but rather to prevent it and therefore called on the police to do more to solve crime. He claimed that many people would like to report to the police information about criminals and there activities but are afraid to do so because they fear that the reports and the name and identities of the persons making them will not be held in confidence.

The National Commission on Crime Prevention is just under two years old, having been established on February 20 2004. It came on the heels of the approval of a motion in Parliament. Its mandate is to educate the populace on crime prevention techniques and, in partnership with various sectors, work to reduce criminal activity. The NCCP plans to meet with representatives of key sectors including the media, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and neighbourhood watch groups.

The Commission will also hold a consultation with stakeholders and pay a visit to Her Majesty’s prisons to counsel prisoners who are due to be released within the next three months. Minister of National Security Sir Vincent Beache also attended the prayer breakfast Monday and noted that the church has a vital role in preventing crime through moulding people spiritually. He was of the view that the church is too often silent on issues of morality. “If the church does not speak out on immorality who else would speak out?” Sir Vincent questioned rhetorically.

Deputy Prime Minister, Louis Straker, pointed to the improvement in education made by government to empower Vincentians. He, however, said that education by itself cannot curb crime and violence. He was of the view that those in authority must appeal to the hearts and minds of the young people if the crime wave is to be stemmed. “We are dismayed by the amount of killings and this is why we have to appeal to the hearts and minds of our young people, and some older ones too,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. He noted that social institutions have a role to play in this regard.

“The home, the school, the Church, the community at large, the policemen, every one of us has a responsibility, a God given responsibility, to do whatever we can in order to stem the tide of violence and crime in our society.” Pastor Noel Clarke of the Pentecostal Church made a call for government to show more respect for the Church. He stressed that the government must not treat the sacred and the secular in the same way.

Shock ripples reverberated across the multi-island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a number of murders in quick succession, especially during the last half of the year pushed the murder statistics up to 28 by December 31, 2004. It was the highest number of murders in any single year in the recorded history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Police were on December 10 summoned to the Redemption Sharpes home of an elderly couple after their son discovered their rain soaked bodies lying in their yard. They had been shot several times including in their heads. They were the last official murder victims during 2004. However, according to reports, a baby might have been added to the list on December 26. Reports indicate that the police though they have publicly confirmed or denied the report are working feverishly on the case and are hoping to charge someone soon.

Speaking at a press briefing in December, Commissioner of Police Williams Harry described as “just wickedness” some of the murdered that were taking place in SVG. He said that in addition to this “wickedness” some of the murders are a result of gangs “fighting for turf” and “showing who has more power.” The Commissioner however made a desperate effort to assure the Vincentian public that the constabulary had the situation under control. “I want to encourage the public to be alert; not to be put in fear by what is happening. The police have the situation under control. We would be stepping up, even further, our operations…”

The crime and especially murder situation in SVG continued to escalate even in light of the fact that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Chairman of the Committee of Mercy said that he will not extend mercy to person who have been sentenced to death and have exhausted their appeals. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that he had instructed the Minister of National Security, Sir Vincent Beache to repair the gallows, a sign that an execution may not be too far away.

In the meantime, St. Vincent and the Grenadines which advertises herself as the “Home of the blessed” has returned to what its residents consider to be normalcy. (by Kenton Chance
Caribbean Net News Correspondent)

THE VALLEY, The programme of activities to mark the 33rd Anniversary of the Royal Anguilla Police Force and Police Week 2005 has been made public.

The Anniversary which is being celebrated under the theme "Keeping the Community Spirit Alive for Police Week 2005" will commence with a church service on Sunday to be attended by the Commissioner of Police and members of the Force at the Christian Fellowship Church on the Blowing Point Road. On Sunday afternoon, the Finals of the Police Domino competition will take place at Police Headquarters and the island's Governor will declare Police Week open during a radio broadcast that same evening.

On Monday, Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming will deliver a lecture to officers. Evening activities include a Spelling Competition at the Stoney Ground Primary School and a Radio Address by Police Commissioner Mr. Keithly Benjamin. A Quartet Competition is slated to take place on Tuesday 25th January while a Food Fair and Cultural Night are the main activities scheduled for Wednesday 26th January.

On Thursday 27th, the Force will host the Annual Senior Citizens Luncheon on the grounds of Police Headquarters at Noon, this will be followed by a cricket match and the hilarious Laugh A Laugh Concert at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre takes place in the evening. On Friday, the lawmen will make a presentation to the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. Friday is also Open Day at the Police Headquarters from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Later in the evening there will be a dance at Red Dragon Disco.

The activities will climax on Saturday 29th with a walk-a-cise from the Police Headquarters at 5.30 am, a Football Match at the Ronald Webster Park Annex in the afternoon, and a grand Dinner and Ball at the House of Chandeliers in South Hill in the evening. (Caribbean Net News)

Outgoing Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes (left)
gets ready to hand over the baton of command to the
new Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas at the
Change of Command Ceremony held at the Police
Officers' Club in St. Andrew on January 19

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The new Commissioner of Police in Jamaica, Lucius Thomas, received the symbolic Baton of Command from outgoing Commissioner, Francis Forbes, at a Change of Command ceremony held at the Police Officers’ Club on January 19.

“It is with humility and yet a sense of pride that I stand here to address this August gathering and to accept the baton of leadership, which has just been passed”, were the first words of the new Commissioner, as he addressed the gathering, which included Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, his Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) colleagues, dignitaries and well-wishers.

“I am humbled at the confidence expressed by countless Jamaicans from all walks of life, particularly those from the inner-cities, who also believe that I can make a greater contribution to the development of an orderly and just society, which will enhance the quality of life of our citizens,” he stated further.

Commissioner Thomas wasted no time in assuring Jamaicans of his commitment to get the job at hand done. He also expressed his resolve, to work to address some of the critical challenges that the JCF faced and to erase the barriers, which foster suspicion and disaffection between civil society and members of the force.

“We are determined to face the challenges ahead and to facilitate an atmosphere, which will be conducive to building a bridge of harmony, trust, respect and cooperation between citizens and the men and women of the force,” he stated.

The new Commissioner noted that there was no quick fix to the problems facing the JCF and indeed the wider society. “We are likely to make mistakes during the quest to restore a sense of safety and security to our country. I implore all Jamaica to be patient, honest and understanding when genuine mistakes are made,” he remarked.

As his priority, the Commissioner vowed to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of the force and work to reduce incidents of conflict between the police and the public. “I am a firm believer in the overall goodness of the Jamaican people. I am confident that by working in a collaborative way, we can find the spirit, the energy and the courage to contain and ultimately subdue crime. Together, we can lift this country to a higher plain of satisfaction, security and prosperity,” the Commissioner told the gathering.

He further informed that recently, the final draft of the JCF’s three-year corporate strategy (2005-2008) was prepared, and the document would be completed in the first quarter of his tenure, and published for implementation.

He acknowledged the leadership of outgoing Commissioner Francis Forbes, in the development of this strategic plan. “He has been instrumental in directing the way forward in the process of reform and modernization of the force,” he said.

To the members of the force, the Commissioner said, “with teamwork and a spirit of togetherness we can achieve our mandate”.

Meanwhile, ex-Commissioner Francis Forbes, in his outgoing address, thanked various sectors, which had assisted him in his eight-year tenure. He also urged the new Commissioner to lift the modernization and reform programme “up another notch,” even as he contemplated the corporate strategy.

“We have taken very small steps on what I am convinced is the right track. Many of these initiatives are worth reinforcing and I suggest that you build on these strong fundamentals,” he stated.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (left), shakes hands with
the new Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas after
the Change of Command Ceremony. JIS PHOTOS

Mr. Forbes also noted that sufficient resources must be found to equip the police so that they could do a better job.

Reflecting on his eight years of service as Commissioner of Police, Mr. Forbes said that under his regime, much had been done to reduce corruption in the force, with the dismissal of 50 men and women, many of whom were caught in sting operations, while several other cases were being pursued. In addition, he said that many corrupt members have panicked and fled as the investigative net closed in on them.

Turning to the future, Mr. Forbes said, “if we are to succeed, the JCF has to increase its commitment to training our members in a continuous learning environment. We also have to embrace the modern technological tools, which exist to make us more efficient.”

To the new Commissioner, Mr. Forbes charged him to go forth and do the job to the best of his ability. “Walk with God along this journey; Jamaicans here and abroad are depending on you,” he stated. (Caribbean Net News)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The prevalence of crime among young people in Barbados is causing the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) one big headache.

Police Commissioner, Darwin Dottin, while delivering his report at the RBPF’s annual conference at Prince Cave Hall, District “A” Complex, disclosed that an alarming 40 per cent of all arrests made in 2004 involved persons between the ages of 16 and 25.

Dottin pointed out that the situation is particularly distressing since the statistics show that people who are in the prime of their lives, noting that these are people who are not taking advantage of the many opportunities which exists for self and national development.

The Commissioner of Police (COP) also pointed out that equally disturbing was that males accounted for 85 per cent of those arrests and noted that the crimes committed were mostly drug-related or violent acts.

According to Dottin, the force has to make some form of intervention, noting that programmes would be devised to work with challenged communities. However, he stressed that the RBPF could not do the job by themselves as they do not have the resources. Alliances would have to be forged with other agencies to meet the challenges, Dottin said.

The commissioner also made public a plan to look very closely at the possibility of stationing police officers at some schools across Barbados. (Caribbean Net News)

PARAMARIBO, Police in Suriname and Holland have cracked down on a cocaine trafficking route from Suriname to Europe.

In a very well coordinated sting operation three suspects were arrested in Suriname early Monday morning and nine other gang members detained by officers of the national Criminal Investigation Department in Holland. Among the three suspects nabbed in the Surinamese capital, Paramaribo is the supposed ringleader, 60 years old rice exporter Shyam Guptar, and Bisoen Parmessar, owner of a liquor store and show promoter.

Besides exports to Europe, Guptar was also the major exporter of rice from Suriname to Jamaica. He was also the owner of the now bankrupt ITA-airline, which operated on the route Paramaribo-Brussels.

In Holland officers raided 14 homes and confiscated computers and administration. Motive for the simultaneously executed operation in the two countries was the seizure, two years ago, of a ship owned by Guptar, in which 296 kilos cocaine were smuggled from Suriname to Holland.

The drugs, hidden in one of the ballast tanks under a 1,500 tonnes rice shipment, were intercepted in Portugal. In that bust, the crew of the ship was arrested and that investigation also led to the arrest of Guptar’s 28 year old son.

Shortly after the apprehension of his ship, Guptar traveled from Holland to Suriname. He is suspected of at that same time ordering a shipment of 10 kilos cocaine hidden in a fish shipment from Paramaribo to the Netherlands.

Ten years ago the entrepreneur was charged with transferring of large sums of drug money out of Holland. Authorities couldn’t make the charges stick back then because Guptar held a Surinamese passport.

To prevent this happening again now he will face charges in front of a judge in Suriname. Meanwhile Holland appealed to the authorities in Suriname to extradite the two other suspects. Both are Dutch nationals.

Suriname is becoming more and more a major trafficking transit point for large quantities of cocaine to Europe and the United States. Also, numerous drug carriers, so-called ‘bolletjesslikkers’ are busted on almost every flight from Suriname to the Netherlands.

Because of this situation the judicial system in Paramaribo is overloaded with cases against these small drug traffickers. (Caribbean Net News/Ivan Cairo)

Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) have raided nine `drug' houses as part of the community Drug Eradication Initiative. One person has already being charged since the initiative began on January 14. Several areas in Georgetown were targeted and exercises have been conducted on nine drug houses.

As such, 26-year-old Gary Singh of 76 6th Street, Alberttown who was allegedly found with 80 grammes of cannabis and 13 grammes of cocaine was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan. Singh denied a charge of trafficking in narcotics and he was ordered to return to court on January 24 for trial.

A police press release yesterday stated that President Bharrat Jagdeo alluded to the initiative in his New Year's message to all Guyanese. The exercise is being intensified and an appeal is being made for members of the public to provide the information necessary to rid their communities of narcotics.

Persons are advised to further information to the Guyana Police Force or CANU on telephone numbers 227-3507 and 225-1111. No identification or personal information from the caller will be required and all information received will be treated with strict confidentiality. (Stabroek News)

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: As the issue of crime continues to be uppermost in the minds of the people of St. Lucia, the country's Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony is calling on the nation's peace keepers to take back the streets by increasing their presence on the country's streets.

According to Prime Minister Anthony, notwithstanding the development taking place in the country, no significant stride would be made in the fight against crime, unless the police force rids itself of corrupt officers. Anthony noted that there is still a largely-disappointed public waiting to be persuaded to trust the police.

“I know that the vast majority of our police officers are trying very hard. They want us to trust them and believe in them. They need our confidence and support. But let me make one thing clear. We cannot ever eliminate crime altogether. Crime can only be reduced and controlled. That is why this New Year, we will continue what has begun, but we will also take new steps”, Anthony said pointing out that, his government would introduce new legislation in Parliament early this year, jointly with other OECS countries.

Dr. Anthony noted that the legislation would empower judges of the Supreme Court to grant authority to the Director of Public Prosecutions to intercept communications of drug dealers, whether by telephone or otherwise.

“I also want to see this year, a greater use of Proceeds of Crime Act. There are people whose level of wealth is not supported by any legitimate or visible employment, and it is hoped that the tax department and the police will send a strong message in 2005, that such persons will not be given the opportunity to use their ill-gotten wealth”, said Anthony. (Caribbean Net News/Norman 'Gus' Thomas)

Guyana-born woman jailed for five years after London 'date rape drug' robberies

LONDON, England (AFP): A British court Monday sentenced a Guyana-born woman to five years in prison for using the "date rape" sedative Rohypnol to drug and then rob wealthy men after picking them up in London bars.

Selina Hakki, 37, stole property worth 37,000 dollars between May 2002 and August 2003 from a bank manager and a film director whom she had met at exclusive night spots in the British capital, the London court said. Hakki, once invited to the men's homes, slipped the strong liquid sedative Rohypnol -- nicknamed the "date rape drug" because it is sometimes used in sexual assaults -- into their wine.

After her dates lost consciousness, Hakki made off with money, clothes and other belongings.The woman was convicted on two counts of causing Rohypnol to be drunk and two counts of theft. (Caribbean Net News)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo has set an immediate police probe into Wildlife Division funds said to have gone missing by the Auditor General, Caribbean Net News learnt late last week.

The President gave directions to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon to “immediately request” the Police Force to launch a full investigation into the Wildlife Division receipts and payments for the period July 1998 to June 2002 as contained in the Report of the Auditor General’s Department for fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

Information reaching Caribbean Net News indicates that the Auditor General’s Department Report, which was handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly for presentation to the House, stated, among other things, that “the cash book that the Finance Officer introduced, however, commenced with a balance of $144.074 million, giving a difference of $49.338 million.”

“When asked how she arrived at this balance, the Finance Officer stated that the figure was given to her by a former employee of the EPA”.

The Guyana Wildlife Division was under the direct control of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) until a fraud was detected in 2002 by the Office of the President and the Police Force investigated and instituted charges against a number of officials. Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference, Dr. Luncheon recalled that the Auditor General had disclosed in 2002 that the cash book was absent within the Wildlife Division.

Luncheon went on to add that for the Auditor General to disclose that the sum of money - some $50 million - was not accounted for in the absence of the cash book for the period 1998 to 2002 was “pure speculation”. “Fraud was clearly committed, a member of staff was charged, dismissed and brought before the courts and therefore the issue is up in the air right now,” Luncheon told the press.

The Press Chief, however, indicated that those officers implicated in the scam will be given a chance to respond to the accusations against them. The Wildlife Division was last year dogged by reports of illegal exports of endangered species, including rare dolphins, and a probe by the Auditor General’s department ordered by the President cleared the Office of the President of any involvement.

When contacted, officers at Police Headquarters at Brickdam told Caribbean Net News that they have heard of the Presidents orders, but declined further comment. (by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Special Regional Correspondent)

Warrant issued for Police complainant in drug case

MAGISTRATE Chandra Sohan yesterday issued an arrest warrant for the Police complainant in a Berbice drug case, who failed to attend New Amsterdam Court again.

Constable Percy Farley did not appear to give evidence for the Prosecution against Rickford LaFleur, whom he has charged with trafficking a narcotic. The case has been called on 12 occasions since the arrest of the defendant on January 27, 2004.

Farley and other policemen were on mobile patrol in the vicinity of New Amsterdam ferry stelling that day, when a search of the bulky bag LaFleur was carrying yielded cannabis (marijuana) weighing 600 grammes, according to the Police narrative. The case will be called once more on February 25. (Guyana Cronicle)

Slain wanted man linked to several killings

including shocking murder of schoolgirl

POLICE yesterday announced that ballistics tests on the gun found on the wanted man who was shot dead in Buxton on Thursday, confirmed that the weapon was used in several killings during a crime wave on the East Coast Demerara last year.

The tests showed that spent cartridges found at several crime scenes on the East Coast Demerara matched those fired from a shotgun found on wanted man Simeon Hope, police said.

The 12-guage pump action shotgun found on Hope was used in the August 27 killing of schoolgirl Christine Sookra and the December 15 murder of Candacy De Souza, police said in a press release.

The gun was also used in the August 29 shooting of Trevor and Leonard Williams, and that of Kewsi Price and Gaywyn Todd on December 22, the release said.

Hope, of Cummings Street, Buxton, was shot dead in an under floor shootout with police around 14:00 hrs Thursday. He was found lying on his back and cradling a gun under a floor in the Buxton house, police said. Police reported that acting on information received, they surrounded the house which had fallen from its pillars and was resting partly on the ground and some of its fallen columns. Along with the shotgun, 84 12-guage cartridges were found on him and in the house. He had previously been charged with the murders of Malika Archer and Odinga Brian.

On August 27, 12-year-old Christine Sookra was shot dead by bandits in an attempted robbery attack on her family at Coldingen during a renewed crime wave on the East Coast. Sookra was hit in the head by a bullet as the terrified family huddled together in their front bedroom at Lot 205, Track 'A', Coldingen, just after midnight. The family had crept there to hide after the gunmen opened up a barrage of fire on the concrete house. The killing of the child evoked public outcry and several steps were subsequently taken to beef up security in many East Coast villages that were feeling the brunt of the robberies and killings.

Eighteen-year-old De Souza of Nabaclis Health Centre Road was shot and killed on December 15, when gunmen went on a robbery spree spanning several East Coast Demerara villages.

Also killed in the attack was retired Guyana Defence Force soldier Jerome Dolphin, 47, of Lot 37 Paradise.

De Souza was shot in the head by the gunmen who stood in front of her home calling her out. She was shot after she opened the window and peeped through. The gunmen then kicked open the door, jumped on the bed and shot the young lady twice in the face and wounded her fiancee who was still in the bed. De Souza's grandmother had told this newspaper that her granddaughter had recently broken off a relationship with another man from Buxton, with whom she had been living for a year.

On December 22, at Beterverwagting, Price and Todd were shot after they were attacked by three gunmen while walking on Slowe Street. Price was hit in his back and left hand by pellets, while Todd, a 35-year-old carpenter was shot in the abdomen in the attack which occurred around 01:35 hrs. Reports said the men were walking along the road when someone called out to them before several shots rang out.

Police said they recovered two spent 7.62 x 39 shells and five 12-guage cartridges at that crime scene. (Guyana Cronicle/Shawnel Cudjoe)

A WANTED man found lying on his back and cradling a gun under a floor in a house in Buxton, died in a shootout with cops, police reported yesterday.

Police said that acting on information, they surrounded the house on Cummings Street at about 14:00 hrs and began to search it for a wanted man. The house had fallen from its pillars and was resting partly on the ground and on some of the fallen columns, police reported.During the search, cops heard a noise from below the floor and removed several boards.According to a police press release, they “were confronted by the wanted man who was lying on his back with a shotgun pointing upwards and in the faces of the ranks.”

“There was an exchange of gunfire from both sides”, and Simeon Hope, who was wanted by the police for several murders and robberies committed on the East Coast Demerara, was wounded, the release said.Police said they found a 12-gauge pump action shotgun at the spot and 84 12-gauge cartridges on him and in the house.The shot man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical attention but died before receiving treatment, police said.

Police said they arrested a female who was in the house at the time and had previously told them when questioned about the whereabouts of the wanted man that she did not know where he was.Simeon Hope had been charged with the murders of Malika Archer and Odinga Brian, police said.The release said he was also wanted for the murders of Candacy DeSouza, Jerome Dolphin, Teon Jason Abrams, Troy Phillips, Williams Adam called ‘Grego’, and the attempted murder of Randy Joseph.The shootout with the wanted man followed a police patrol and search operation in North and South Buxton, in which five persons were arrested.

Police said components of a rifle were found in a house and one person was found with cannabis (marijuana).The others are being detained for questioning into several offences including armed robbery, police said in a press release.A law enforcement official said authorities were worried about photos in another newspaper yesterday showing makeshift police outposts in East Coast villages were empty.This, he felt, could expose those areas to criminal attacks. (Guyana Cronicle)

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname is officially the first CARICOM member state to introduce a CARICOM passport. President Ronald Venetiaan received the first passport on Friday of last week. The new travel document is machine readable and has better safeguards against forgery.

International and intra-regional travel with the newly issued passport should be much easier since the documents were produced according to the latest international standards. Besides the national symbols of the Republic of Suriname, the CARICOM logo is also printed on the cover of the new passports.

The producer of the passports, Canadian Banknote Company Ltd (CBN) granted the government of Suriname a loan of approximately US$1.5 million for this project. Every month the Surinamese administration will pay an amount of US$28,000 over a period of five years.

According to President Venetiaan, the investment is worth it. "Suriname is a step ahead of the other CARICOM members," he said. Now the member states should reach an agreement on the introduction process.

Suriname has chosen not to wait any longer, because of mounting international pressure. The administration in Paramaribo has invested in a computerized production system. With the new system, the period to get a passport after application is cut down significantly.

According to CBN representative Lionel l'Blanc the system could be expanded. With the same production unit, drivers licences and ID cards can also be produced. (Caribbean Net News / Ivan Cairo)

Guyana - The preliminary inquiry into the murder of police officers Lance Corporal Ramnarine Latchana and Assistant Super-intendent Richard Griffith was abruptly adjourned yesterday after the accused kept interrupting the proceedings. Magistrate Adrian Thompson postponed the PI until January 31.

State counsel Candace Raphael called Audrey Small, a sergeant from the Brickdam Police Station Traffic Department to the witness box.

But Small was unable to give her testimony as the accused Solomon Blackman, who is representing himself interrupted the proceedings several times, telling the court he would like to give evidence. After the magistrate ignored him, Blackman then told the magistrate that he would like to leave the court because he was sick.

After constant interruptions, Magistrate Thompson told Raphael to seek further instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ascertain whether Blackman was fit to carry on with the proceedings. The adjournment is to facilitate a report from the prosecutor.

Guyana - A 31-year-old man who was allegedly found with cocaine in his pants pocket just after assaulting a police corporal was yesterday remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan. Josiah Brentnol of 131 Fourth Street, Alberttown, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate's court on a charge of trafficking in narcotics and one of assault with intent to resist lawful apprehension. Josiah was allegedly found with two grammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on January 6. On that same day, Josiah was also accused of assaulting police corporal, Jeffrey Lynch.

The police were reportedly on patrol duty on Water and Cornhill streets when they saw Josiah acting in a suspicious manner. Lynch decided to carry out a search on Josiah, but Josiah allegedly hit his hand away and a scuffle eventually ensued between the two. Josiah was then told of the offence and arrested. When he was taken down to the police station and searched, the police allegedly found the drugs in a red and white plastic container tucked in his right pants pocket. Josiah was then charged with the offences. He denied both charges and his matter was transferred to Court 5 on January 17. (Stabroek News)

Guyana - The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 93 senior officers of the Guyana Police Force, elevating four of them to the rank of assistant commissioner. According to a release from the Police Public Relations Office, Senior Superintendents, Ronald Stuart, Paulette Morrison, Carl Roberts and Lloyd Hutson have all been promoted to Assistant Commissioners.

Seven superintendents have been lifted to senior Superintendent among them being; S. Jarvis, G. Fraser, C. Ross, G. Primo, U. Atkinson, P. Amstrong and N. Hendricks. Those elevated to superintendent are D. Theobald, A Paul, K. Ross, E. Trotman, C. Mentore, S Mc Bean, V. Lawson, C. Jarvis, D. Grosvenor, I Daniels, E. Liverpool, E. Graham, C. West, F. Mingo, P. Robin and D. Young.

Additionally, 12 assistant superintendents have been promoted to Deputy superintendent among them being, S. Greaves, W. Cosbert, R. King, W. Sandy, M. Ross, K. Bobb-Semple, R. Lowe, L. Saul, N. Semple, R. Bacchus, T. Sampson and D. Mcdonald. Those promoted to assistant superintendents are E. Watts, K. Bristol, N. Riddle, S. Booker and A. Alfrose.

Fourteen ranks were promoted to assistant superintendent on probation, three to cadet officers, two to chief inspectors and 30 to inspectors.

The release added that the Commissioner of Police has also approved the promotion of 177 junior ranks of the GPF and the Special Constabulary. In the regular force 36 officers were promoted to sergeant, 70 to corporal and 33 to lance corporal. Within the Special Constabulary seven were promoted to sergeant, 18 to corporal and 13 to lance corporal. (Stabroek News)

Suspect in Suriname drive-by is ex-cop - police

The Guyanese who was held in the Paramaribo drive-by shooting last week, is a former policeman who had absconded and was dismissed in July 2003. The Police Public Relations Department issued a release yesterday saying they received information about the detainee, Mervin Vaughn, who had been shot by the police in an operation.

According to the release, Vaughn may have been in possession of his identification card which may not have been repossessed because he was not located and the notice for termination of his service was never served on him.

The police were responding to a report in yesterday's edition of Stabroek News captioned, "Guyanese cop held in Paramaribo drive-by". The report was taken from de Ware Tijid in Suriname which said the man was seized with his Guyanese police identification papers when police raided a house. (Stabroek News)

Guyanese cop held in Paramaribo drive-by

A Guyanese policeman was arrested in Suriname for his alleged involvement in a December 27 drive-by shooting outside the "Jungle Night Club" in Paramaribo. The man was seized with his Guyanese police identification papers when police raided a house in Suriname. A Venezuelan woman who was found with him was also held for questioning.

According to a report in de Ware Tijd, six people were wounded in the shooting. One of the injured, Cornelius Marcus later died at the hospital. The report said the Guyanese policeman was seriously wounded in a shoot-out with the 'A-Team', which is a special police squad that apprehends dangerous criminals, last week.

The car that was said to have been used in the shooting was confiscated by the police and the licence plates were discovered to be false. De Ware Tijd said the right plates were found in the detainee's home where police also found one bullet proof vest, an automatic assault weapon, a semi-automatic pistol, rounds of ammunition and mobile phones.

Reports say the suspect was initially cooperating with police but is now withholding information after a lawyer visited him. However, the Suriname police are trying other means to further investigate the shooting. Meanwhile, the newspaper said the police were informed that certain parties are trying to kill the detainee in the hospital where he is heavily guarded. (Stabroek News)

PHILIPSBURG--Police Brigadier C.H.N. of the St. Maarten police force has been arrested and is currently being held at the Pointe Blanche prison awaiting possible extradition to French St. Martin where he is wanted in connection with a murder/robbery that occurred last July. The Attorney General of the Netherlands Antilles, based in Curaçao, ordered the arrest of the police officer after a request was received from the French authorities.

The suspect was reportedly detained at his Cole Bay residence just before midday Thursday. When contacted about the matter, police spokesman Inspector Johan “Janchi” Leonard declined to comment on it. He would only confirm that indeed the officer had been detained. However, well-placed sources told this newspaper the officer was being held as a suspected accomplice in the murder/robbery case in which Jean Pierre Passera, the owner of a gas station in French Cul-de-Sac, was gunned down at his home in Lowlands in the presence of his wife last July.

Reports at the time said two armed and masked men had committed the crimes. Up to press time, it was not clear whether it is believed that the police officer was an active participant in committing the crimes or whether he knew about the crimes and failed to detain the perpetrators or report the matter to his superiors.

One suspect in the alleged murder/robbery case, R.D. (19) of St. Maarten, was identified after his photo was published in this newspaper. The report accompanying the photo at the time said R.D. had been hospitalised with a gunshot wound that he told authorities he had received when someone tried to rob him of his scooter in the vicinity of the Philipsburg dumpsite.

R.D.’s blood was allegedly found at the scene of the crime where Passera was shot. Meanwhile, sources said the French authorities had been seeking the police brigadier’s arrest for some time. He will now have to appear before a judge in the Court of First Instance, who will determine whether there are legal grounds to extradite him. (The Daily Herald)

ATLANTA, USA: Visitors traveling to some parts of the Dominican Republic should take the drug chloroquine to protect themselves from a malaria outbreak, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.

According to Reuters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the warning after 17 cases of the mosquito-borne disease surfaced among U.S., Canadian and European tourists who had visited La Altagracia and Duarte provinces in the Caribbean nation. Those provinces, home to the popular Punta Cana resort area and the commercial town San Francisco de Macoris, had been considered malaria-free. The Dominican Republic reports about 2,000 cases of malaria each year.

The Atlanta-based CDC said the recent cases among Western tourists were diagnosed in November and December and might be linked to Hurricane Jeanne, which struck the Dominican Republic last September. "The east coast, including Punta Cana and the Bavaro Zone, received heavy rains and flooding, which might have resulted in increased breeding of mosquitoes," the CDC said in a weekly health report.

Malaria, which kills between 1 million and 2.7 million people each year, is rare in the United States but remains endemic in much of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Marked by high fevers, chills, night sweats, headaches and abdominal pain, malaria can cause severe respiratory problems and other complications when not promptly treated. (Caribbean Net News)

PHILIPSBURG--Dutch Marechaussees (military police) will be primarily for Curaçao’s Hato Airport and not for the other islands, said Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner Thursday. The 13 Marechaussees pledged by the Netherlands as part of a joint declaration signed last month should be seen in the framework of 100 per cent control at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, explained Donner at the end of his three-day visit to the Windward Islands.

“The Marechaussees are specifically envisioned for Hato,” he said, adding that they would be part of the permanent reinforcement at that airport. The Marechaussees will be deployed on a rotating basis and will be stationed in Curaçao for some three weeks at a time. The 12 Customs officers the Netherlands will be making available to help fight crime in the short term will also be deployed mainly at Hato Airport, said Donner at a press conference.

“The Marechaussees won’t be divided over the other islands,” said Donner. He kept the door partly open by stating that if St. Maarten set up a team at its airport like the one in Curaçao, there would have to be additional discussions to “see how that can be worked out.” Asked whether he had considered the fact that with increased controls at Hato Airport, criminals and drug traffickers would be moving to St. Maarten, using that island as a hub to Europe, the Minister said: “I am aware.” He declined to give any other comment.

Detectives

The 40 detectives from the Netherlands won’t be exclusively for Curaçao. They will be in the Antilles on a continuous basis, although their expertise might change and be adapted if necessary, Donner said. The detectives will be linked to the joint detective teams RST in Curaçao and St. Maarten. “They will function within the framework where they are attached,” he added. The Dutch detectives will help to investigate crime and in doing so “liberate” uniformed persons in the streets.

As there is not “one clear-cut situation” where the assistance exactly is needed in the police force, details will be worked out and decisions taken next week when the protocol is signed formalising the assistance. Donner stressed that the assistance was an emergency measure and of a short term duration. In the long term there will be more focus on “organisational and logistic law enforcement.”

‘Fundamental’

Antillean Justice Minister Norberto Ribeiro called it “fundamental” to work out the specifics of the joint declaration to make the cooperation “more efficient.” Mentioning his Civil Defence programme, Ribeiro said the assistance was still not enough. “We want more, of course. But you have to be happy with what you get,” he said. According to Ribeiro, details such as the ranks of the Dutch detectives still have to be discussed. “It will be up to us to formulate our exact wishes,” he said, referring to the overall assistance.

The Minister said that with the experts coming out of the Netherlands, especially those in the field of automation and Immigration, the hands of Antillean police officers, now often burdened with administrative work, would be freed for other areas.

Justice in the future

One of Donner’s main reasons for visiting all islands, he said, was to get a feeling how the local law enforcement authorities see the future where it pertains to justice. Discussions on this matter, raised in the Jesurun Report on new Kingdom relations, are of an “informal nature.” About the study by the Dutch scientific bureau WODC and University of the Netherlands into the crime situation of the Windward Islands, Donner said he expected to receive the results in the first half of this year. The first discussions have taken place. The investigation initially “didn’t go as fast as” he had hoped, he said. Donner, accompanied by Ribeiro, left for Curaçao Thursday evening. Both ministers will be in Aruba Monday for a tripartite meeting with their Aruba colleague. (The Daily Herald)

PARIS, France (AFP): An Italian woman trying to smuggle cocaine into Europe died on a flight arriving at Paris when one of 77 latex bags filled with the drug she had swallowed burst in her stomach, police said Wednesday.

The middle-aged woman died of a lethal overdose on an Air France flight landing at Charles de Gaulle airport Saturday after the long flight from Santo Domingo, the capital of the Caribbean state of the Dominican Republic, despite the best efforts of the crew to save her, they said.

An autopsy revealed the drugs hidden in her stomach. The woman had been on her way to Milan, Italy. Police said such fatal incidents were rare, though flights between the Dominican Republic and Italy were known to be frequently used by narcotics smugglers. (Caribbean Net News)

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Jamaican Police Services Commission has announce the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lucius A. Thomas as the new Commissioner to succeed Mr. Francis Forbes, with effect from Wednesday, January 19, 2005.

Mr. Thomas joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force in 1969 at the age of 20 years and has served with distinction for the past 36 years. He has served in several Divisions, including the Mobile Reserve, Kingston Central Division and for over 25 years at Special Branch.

He has progressed through the ranks, beginning with being promoted to a Corporal in 1977, Sergeant (1983), Inspector (1987), Assistant Superintendent of Police (1989), Deputy Superintendent of Police (1991), Superintendent of Police (1996), Senior Superintendent of Police (1998), and Assistant Commissioner of Police (1999). In 2001 he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Crime Portfolio.

Deputy Commissioner Thomas has been trained both locally and abroad, pursuing courses in Intelligence Management for Senior Officers, Aviation Security, Tactical Weapons Disposal, and Crises Management for Major Events. He has also undergone training in Human Resource Management at the Police Staff College as well as in the United Kingdom.

Over the past 15 years Mr. Thomas has been responsible for the security arrangements for all major international events, including the provision of security for all V.I.Ps and Heads of Government attending these events. Notable among these were the arrangements for the funeral of the late Prime Minister, Michael Manley and the G-15 Summit. His loyal and dedicated service to the force and the people of Jamaica was recognized by the Award for Meritorious Service in 1987. (Caribbean Net News)

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AFP): Seventy-one people died and 678 were wounded over the Christmas and New Year holidays in the Dominican Republic, mostly from gunshots and traffic accidents, officials said Monday.

According to a bulletin issued by a police operation, "Christmas without Accidents," 29 died of gunshots, 11 of knife wounds, two in fights and two from alcohol intoxication.

Most of the 227 injuries occurred in traffic accidents, 166 were from knife wounds, 99 from fire arms and 61 from alcohol intoxication. Fifty-seven were also injured by fireworks, 47 in fights and 21 by food poisoning over the period.

Authorities were pleased that the death toll had fallen from one year ago, when 75 died and 1,579 were injured. The Caribbean nation had a population of 8.6 million in 2001, according to US State Department figures. (Caribbean Net News)

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: Officers and other members of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda have come in for words of praise from Acting Commissioner of Police (COP) Rolston Pompey for their service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda during the year 2004 which he described as challenging.

Police Commissioner and other top officers

"It was a very challenging year for the police service but one which the men and women of this organization showed resilience, they showed that they were committed and that they were devoted to the call of duty."

The Commissioner admitted that the force had to deal with increased criminal activities in the month of July and pointed out that the "police service as a whole went through a little reform, in that we were able to insist on the minds of the personnel the importance of cooperating with the citizens, to be civil, to be sensitive to their situations and their needs."

Pompey is expressing hope that 2005 will see improvement, efficiency, effectiveness, and "the quality of service that we are required to perform for the benefit of the citizens."
(Photos: Norman 'Gus' Thomas; Caribbean Net News Special Regional Correspondent)

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: Carnival revelers, participating in the annual J'ouvert Morning jump-up in St. Kitts, have been commended by the country's Acting Commissioner of Police, Robert Jeffers, and his men for the way they conducted themselves during Monday morning's celebration.

Caribbean Net News understands that the "jam" was described as incident-free, save for a non-fatal shooting incident when a youth was shot in the arm. Police told Caribbean Net News that the shooting was not a carnival related matter.

Meanwhile, the police themselves came in for high praise from the country's Minister with responsibility for National Security, G. A. Dwyer Astaphan, who in a statement, commended police officers and members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) for what has been termed a "trying time" for the country's keepers of the peace. Both the SKNDF and the Police were quite visible on J'ouvert morning and the days prior to it. Their presence resulted in several arrests.

The Minister also expressed his gratitude to the members of the public for displaying responsible behaviour during the revelry, while the Commissioner of Police commended the leaders of the various musical bands for encouraging their supporters to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. (Norman 'Gus' Thomas Correspondent Caribbean Net News)

State Secretary Amelia Nicholson-Linzey, State
Secretary Erno Labega, Chief Commissioner of Police Mr Derrick Holiday, presenting keys to Chief Inspector Norwin Bernabella, Act. Lt. Governor Will Johnson and Island Council Member Rolando Wilson

Photo: Dave Levenstone.

THE BOTTOM, Saba: Thursday morning was a special occasion for the members of the Police Force on Saba as they were on hand to witness the official handing over of two new Police Cars. State Secretary with responsibilities for Justice in the Windward Islands Mr. Erno Labega and Chief Commissioner of Police Mr. Derrick Holiday traveled to Saba and made the presentation.

Both State Secretary Mr. Labega and Mr. Holiday met with Saba's Acting Lt. Governor Mr. Will Johnson and discussed a variety of issues pertaining to the Police Department on Saba. Mr. Johnson told the GIS that he discussed the renovations of the Police Station with both of them and they have decided to have the building vacated as soon as possible in order that the repairs can start.

Island Council member Mr. Rolando Wilson and Head of the Planning Bureau Mr. Robert Zagers will be working closely with the office of Chief Commissioner Holiday in order to have everything prepared for the tendering to take place as soon as possible. In the meantime the Department of Public Works will assist with the moving of everything to the Police House adjacent to the station.

Act. Lt. Governor Johnson said that he was happy to know that the new vehicles had arrived during his watch as Act. Local Chief of Police and he was also very happy to know that he could discuss issues pertaining to law and order with the Chief Commissioner.

"I was a personal friend of the grandfather and father of Mr. Holiday and that made it very easy for me to discuss law and order not only as Act. Local chief of Police but also in my capacity as an elected representative of the people of Saba. Issues such as law and order also falls within the scope of us as elected representatives of the people. I look forward in holding other important meetings with the State Secretary and Chief Commissioner of Police in the new year. We will be inviting both gentlemen to meet with the Central Committee of the Island Council to discuss our own plan of action for the betterment of the island," he said.

Chief Commissioner Holiday presented the keys of the new cars to Chief Inspector Norwin Bernabella in the presence of State Secretary Erno Labega, State Secretary Amelia Nicholson-Linzey, Act. Lt. Governor Will Johnson, Chairman of the Central Government Mr. Rolando Wilson, Major Rudolph Sorton and members of the Police Force on Saba. In presenting the keys Chief Commissioner Holiday said that he hope that the new vehicles will be put to good use by his men and these new cars will help to solve some of the problems.

The police officers stationed on Saba said that they are happy to at least be able make use of the new vehicles in order for them to feel safe while carrying out there duties on Saba. They are hoping that with the arrival of the new cars work will soon start on the building and that the communication problem will be soon solved.

"We are ready and prepared to carry out our duties as prescribed by the law. We are doing our part with the limited material that we have to protect the community of Saba to the best of our ability. in order to fight crime we must be able to work together as one, as police officers we just do not know everything and people should not feel afraid of us. We are human beings and we need the support and help from everyone in order for us to solve the problems that Saba is presently confronting." (Caribbean Net News)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP): A policeman in the Netherlands Antilles was jailed for eight years last week by a court in Curacao for his involvement in a big drugs trafficking network from South America, Dutch news agency ANP said.

It said the man, identified only as 21-year-old J. Capella, had been found guilty of transporting cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela between October 2003 and March 2004, when he was arrested.

He was part of a network of mainly Colombian drugs traffickers, and during the crack down on the group, more than 200 kilos of cocaine were seized. (Caribbean Net News)