January 31, 2007
Mazaruni jailbreak
Two
prison officers charged
Two
prison officers implicated in facilitating the recent breakout from the
Mazaruni Prison appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan
yesterday, charged with negligently or carelessly allowing the convicts to
escape.
Appearing around 15:00h, Leyland Agard and Shane James faced a joint charge which said, last January 12 at Mazaruni Prison, having lawful custody of Dineshwar Sooklall, Kenneth Richardson, Asrudeen Khan, Randolph Rodrigues, Royston Reid, Trevor McLean, Alvin Shivnarine, Anil Sanichar and Ryan Ramfarose, they neglectfully or carelessly allowed them to flee.
Both pleaded not guilty to the offence and were granted $75,000 bail each, after which their case was transferred to the Bartica Court for February 21.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Leslie Sobers represented Agard and his colleague, Mr. Mark Waldron spoke for James in relation to their bail application.
Waldron said James, 24, who lives at Lot 415 Dazzel Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, is alleged to have been on duty at a certain gate but Agard, the shift supervisor and superior, can testify that James was never assigned there at that time.
Sobers confirmed that James is indeed in a position to say that Agard, also 24, of Lot 32 Bee Hive, on East Coast Demerara, too, was not at the scene. Sobers said James, a Principal Officer Grade Two who has served for about 13 years, was overpowered by the nine escapees and had to run for his life.
Counsel recalled a jailbreak several years, in which an officer was killed and another crippled and declared it was only reasonable for James, who was not armed, to take action for saving his own life because the convicts were armed with various implements.
Sobers said James would surely attend his trial to restore his good name after being interdicted from duty. Assistant Superintendent of Police Maxine Graham, prosecuting, did not object to the bail grant but requested that substantial surety be set. She said the defendants were charged on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) (Guyana Cronicle)
January 30, 2007
`Be
aggressive in security corridor’
Rohee urges cops
Home
Affairs Minister
Clement Rohee
yesterday said the Police must adopt an “aggressive posture” towards
security along the East Bank Demerara corridor which is fast growing in
importance as a main national artery.
His call came at the formal opening of a modern police station at Grove to serve the Grove/Diamond communities and environs on the East Bank Demerara.
The minister emphasised the importance of the new station in the context of the East Bank Demerara assuming significantly increased importance as a security corridor in the face of intensified economic activities, the location for essential installations, the national cricket stadium and the pathway to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
Without providing figures, he hinted that in this year’s national budget, there would be increased allocations for the security sector. He noted that some $4.5 billion was allocated last year and the trend over recent years has been one of increasing spending for security as the government is committed to curbing crime.
However, Mr. Rohee stressed that with only four police stations on the East Bank Demerara and a growing population in the Grove/Diamond communities, which now is estimated at 15,000, the police of necessity have to be buttressed by the existing 18 Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and the neighbourhood police in the division.
He explained that the latter groups are not in competition with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), but rather are complementary to it, and appealed to ranks at the Grove Police Station to set an example for those at other locations to emulate.
But he bemoaned the absence of Station Management Committees, noting that the call for the establishment of such bodies has not been successful, and expressed the hope that his renewed call will not fall on “deaf ears”, as there is a dire need for these committees to ensure police stations function effectively and efficiently in the discharge of their responsibilities to communities.
The minister signalled his intention to deal with this issue in an in-depth manner during the upcoming annual Police Officers Conference. Rohee implored the ranks not only to provide service and protection but to impose a new sense of law and order in the community, exhorting them to be friendly but to deal firmly and “unflinchingly” with those who break the law.
He assured that the government is committed to providing increased resources to the law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and fight crime, despite the financial constraints it faces, because economic growth will not happen if people do not feel safe.
Noting the increased number of road accidents and fatalities, Rohee declared that “drastic laws” will soon be tabled in the National Assembly to deal with violators of traffic laws and regulations.
He also disclosed that from a recent visit to eight police stations in Division ‘B’ (East Berbice), he found the conditions under which members of the GPF have to work are atrocious and conceded that there are limits to modesty with respect to conditions that one can endure.
While the government is not in a financial position to increase remuneration for the law enforcement agencies, Rohee observed that at least it should improve working conditions of the GPF.
To this end, he announced that under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Citizens Security Programme (CSP) the 72 police stations and 26 outposts across the country will be remodelled and upgraded to vastly improve working conditions and make them visitor friendly.
He also bemoaned the current laborious record keeping system of the GPF, admitting that this aspect needs “urgent catching up with modern methods of record keeping”, and informed the gathering that under the CSP this area of work will also be enhanced.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene admonished ranks to let the new station be a “reflection of a new approach in thinking, dedication and commitment.” He exhorted them to recognise and understand the peculiarities of the community and to adjust policing methods accordingly.
The Commissioner stressed that the station must not only be a nice building but must serve the community and ranks must discharge their duties in an impartial manner, reflecting a departure from malpractices of the past.
He chided ranks against the backdrop of neglect of duty being the highest ranked of complaints against members of the GPF, emphasising that there must be a departure from non-response to citizens’ requests and sending members of the public from one station to another, claiming that it is not under their jurisdiction.
The Commissioner made it categorically clear that any citizen could lodge a complaint at any station and it is the duty of the ranks at that station to carry out the requisite investigations and then take the initiative to have the matter transferred to the relevant jurisdiction. He said while mistakes will be made, it becomes a problem when these outnumber correct actions.
Greene assured that the GPF will not back down in the fight against crime but appealed for the cooperation from the community because the police cannot do it alone.
The top cop also expressed gratitude to the government for responding to the great need for such a facility, adding that its mere presence will impact positively on a developing community, and it is a reflection of the force’s larger concept of service and protection. Assistant Superintendent Ravendradatt Budhram said the construction of the $30M spanking new two-flat edifice began in September 2005 and was completed September last year.
The station boasts rooms for a Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Traffic Department, Radio Communication Department, Identification Parade, storing arms and ammunition, five lockups and for victims of domestic violence. (Chamanlall Naipaul / Guyana Cronicle)
Some
policemen working under appalling conditions
Rohee says as new Grove station commissioned
Policewomen
read the plaque commemorating the official commissioning of the Golden Grove
Police station yesterday.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says he is dissatisfied with the conditions under which some members of the Guyana Police Force are working, and added that while the government is in no position to enhance remuneration some effort will be made to improve their situation.
This comment came as the minister delivered an address at the commissioning ceremony for the new $30.5 million Golden Grove Police station on the East Bank Demerara yesterday. The police station is outfitted with all the facilities of the other modern stations around the country and will also serve the new Diamond Housing Scheme.
Construction of this station started in August 2005 and was completed in September last year, but inclement weather conditions delayed an earlier commissioning. Rohee said he only realized some of the adverse conditions under which policemen work when he visited a number of police stations in the East Berbice at the weekend.
"In some of those stations the conditions are atrocious and not comfortable… We don't expect ranks to work in conditions of a three-, four- or five-star hotel but certainly if they are going to stay in barracks they ought not to be in those conditions," the minister lamented.
Rohee said that under the Citizens' Security Programme (CSP) government was working to enhance the conditions of work at all police stations. In this vein he told the 17 ranks and one officer who have started to work at the police station to consider themselves fortunate and appealed to them to utilize the facility and ensure that persons in the community felt free and comfortable to approach for the relevant assistance.
"We have approximately 72 police stations and 26 outposts across the country and it is our intention to, through the CSP, remodel and upgrade these stations in a way that not only comforts, but is seen as visitor friendly," the minister asserted.
The minister also expressed his dissatisfaction with the current record-keeping system which the police force currently utilizes and noted that this was not in keeping with modern times. "I believe that we have to do some urgent catching up, particularly in the area of technology," Rohee said.
According to him, under the CSP, record-keeping at police stations would be modernised. Each station would be able to track cases and co-ordinate with other stations, police headquarters and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The minister also took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of a station management committee, something which he said has been ignored by many police stations. "I hope this call once again does not fall on deaf ears," the minister said, adding that in the entire 'A' division only one station on the East Coast Demerara had a management committee.
Neglecting duties
Meanwhile Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who also addressed ranks yesterday, alluded to one issue that continued to challenge the Guyana Police Force as the highest complaint category. "We still have ranks who continue to neglect their duties even if the matters are small and I trust that you here at Golden Grove will move away from this since I hope to see evidence of supervision and a good follow up of all reports," Green implored.
He said the Diamond/Golden Grove community was a rapidly developing one and acknowledged that the construction of the police station was timely. "This new building should reflect newness of appreciation, dedication and commitment and a new thrust to serving well and protecting the community," Greene said.
He said the new police station is comfortable and could better address the community's needs, including responding to matters like domestic violence since complainants will have privacy.
He said the district has been the focus of the police force for the last two years when burgeoning criminal activities were noticed and so patrols were always vigilant in the community. "New communities bring ills and we want to ensure that we are able to respond adequately," Greene said.
Last year alone there were 201 reports of a combination of simple larceny, robbery under arms and breaking and entering in the area. (Stabroek News)
Five
Mazaruni prison escapees plead guilty
Complain about abuse, food, medical care
Five of the Mazaruni prison escapees appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court charged with escaping from lawful custody. The convicts never hesitated to plead guilty to their individual charges, but followed their pleas with a list of complaints including victimization, poor quality food and poor medical attention. The remaining four escapees will make their court appearance today.
Arsudeen Khan called `Rocky, Royston Reid called `Knuckles', Alvin Shivnarine, Kenneth Richardson and Anil Sanichar were each sentenced to three years in prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan. Their sentences will run consecutively with the sentences they are currently serving.
The five defendants and four others escaped from the Mazaruni prison on January 12 and within ten days they all were recaptured. Khan and Richardson were serving sentences for manslaughter, Shivnarine for murder, Reid for possession of narcotics and Sanichar for robbery with aggravation.
Just after 2 pm yesterday the convicts arrived at court dressed in yellow prison suits. They were transported in a 4x4 vehicle and were handcuffed but without the presence of heavily armed ranks. In court they sat in the docks with their handcuffs on, their faces expressionless, and at intervals they chatted with each other. They all made it clear after admitting to escaping that they wanted to give the court an explanation for their actions.
Khan told the court that the break out was not a premeditated act. He said he is constantly victimized at the Mazaruni Prison.
"When yo talking for your own rights yo getting licks. They don't even have no proper medication for any kind of sickness. Yo does get one pain tablet for any complaint yo get. If you tell them that yo heart hurting yo get pain tablet. If yo get fresh cold is pain tablet yo getting too. We don't even see Tylenol in there. All we does get is Panadol."
Shivnarine said that during the five months he has been incarcerated at the facility all of his human rights have been violated by the prison administration. He said asked to be brought back to Georgetown but that request was denied. "De food they does give we don't cook with no oil, garlic and other ingredients. They just boiling everything up and giving we."
Looking directly at the magistrate, Shivnarine told the court that a week before the breakout he was beaten because he was protesting for medical attention. He said his escape was just a way of getting back to Georgetown and it was not planned.
Meanwhile, Reid told the court that some of the officers at the prison are not doing their jobs professionally and this makes the inmates frustrated. "It was rather more a cry for help than freedom. I am asking for leniency because I am only serving a possession of narcotics charge." The other two defendants also asked the court to grant them leniency.
Police Prosecutor Maxine Graham told the court that the five defendants are charged under a serious Act. She said if the sentences were to run concurrently with their present sentences then justice will not be served. Graham asked that the new sentences be added on to the present ones.
"They were already convicted and put in a place of confinement. They didn't want to adhere to the rules of that confinement," she said. Reid, after listening to her comments, begged the prosecutor to take note of the treatment meted out to the prisoners at the facility. After listening to them, the magistrate handed down the lightest penalty for that charge to the convicts.
It was around 4.30 pm on January 12 that the escapees overpowered two guards at the brick prison and made their way out of the gate to the fence where they were spotted by two guards who raised an alarm. The nine convicts fled into the dense forest surrounding the prison and within hours a massive search operation by the joint services was launched.
Around 7.30 that night, in an area called Skull Point, four servicemen - two prison officers and two police constables - were wounded during friendly fire. The injured men were air dashed to Georgetown Hospital for medical attention.
Three days after the escape, the nine convicts were confronted by members of the joint services while walking along the Karau trail, Bartica. During the confrontation the men were shot at as they tried to escape. Trevor McLean called 'Footprint', Anil Sanichar, Royston Reid called 'Knuckles' and Alvin Shivnarine surrendered and the others fled further into the bush.
A few days after that Asrudeen Khan called 'Rocky' was nabbed after he stopped a boat captain in the vicinity of Kamayra and requested a drop. After the captain questioned him intensely, Khan admitted that the police were looking for him.
Then Dhineshwar Sooklall of Wakenaam was recaptured by the Joint Services at an abandoned house at Karau. Ten days after the jail break the other three, Kenneth Richardson, Ryan Rambharose and Rudolph were captured.
Following their recapture the convicts were transported to the Georgetown prison where they were grilled and an investigation was launched into the escape. Stabroek News understands that today two prison officers from the Mazaruni detention centre will appear in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court over the incident. (Stabroek News)
January 29, 2007
Surinamese on ammo charge escaped lawful custody
Court hears
A Surinamese national who is facing a charge for possession of ammunition was slapped with a charge of escaping from lawful custody when he appeared before Magistrate Chandra Sohan at the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Court on Friday.
It is alleged that on January 19, 2007 while in the custody of a prison officer, Jerrel Patha staged an escape and was subsequently recaptured. Patha had been placed on $250,000 bail for the first offence but escaped before the bail was lodged.
His attorney, Mursaline Bacchus informed the court that his client suffers from "more than one phobia". He requested that the bail be recalled and that his client's passport which was lodged with the court be returned to him.
Magistrate Sohan recalled the bail and told Bacchus that while he was busy seeking pre-trial freedom for his client for the first offence Patha was busy escaping. Patha will return to court on February 2. (Stabroek News)
Prison
officers charged after jailbreak
Two prison officers under the microscope after the recent jailbreak at the
Mazaruni Prisons by nine convicted prisons are likely to appear in court
today, a source told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.
According to the source, the Police on advice from the Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP) have charged the two men, a Principal Officer 11 with
more than 10 years service and a Prison Officer, with negligence leading to
a breakout.
The two had reported to their superiors that they were overpowered by the prisoners who then bolted to freedom, while a routine feeding exercise was in progress in the prisons Brick Unit. But, sources said, tactful investigations by a team of police sleuths unearthed lapses and unprofessional conduct on the part of two prison officers, leading to the DPP advising that they be charged.
The nine prisoners recaptured after escaping January 12 were Trevor McLean, called `Footprint’, of Linden; Royston Reid, also called `Knuckles’, of 163 Alexander Street, Kitty; Alvin Shivnarine, no address given, and Anil Sanichar of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky'; Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman’; Randolph Rodrigues, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara; Kenneth Richardson, also called `Ricky Stephen’, from the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam and Ryan Ramfarose of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
They were recaptured within two weeks following a massive manhunt launched by the Joint Services just hours into the jailbreak. The sources said too it is likely that some, if not all, of the escapees would appear in court today. A six-member Board of Inquiry established by Minister of Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, pursuant to the Prison Service Act, is conducting a probe into the jailbreak. It commenced work last Wednesday and will wrap up by February 5.
The probe team is headed by former Commissioner of Police Floyd McDonald and other members include Crime Prevention Specialist Errol Van Nooten and Assistant Superintendent of the Guyana Prison Service Rev. Fay Clarke.
It is inquiring into several issues, including the circumstances of the escape, prior to, during and after the escape, all matters relating to and/or incidental to the escape and the existing security arrangements in respect of the custody, management, and control of prisoners with specific reference to those who may be classified as “dangerous prisoners” at the Mazaruni Prisons.
A report on the findings is to be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs by February 9. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 26, 2007
Concerns
over pace of AK-47s probe
President
Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said he is concerned about the effort being put
into the recovery of the high-powered weapons discovered missing from the
Army’s headquarters early last year and the “dwindling” in seniority of the
person heading the investigations.
Mr. Jagdeo said he has expressed concern to the leadership of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) that the rank of the person heading the military criminal investigation department has dropped from a full “colonel” to a “major”.
He said the Army’s board of inquiry investigation is now before the Defence Board, which will examine the report in the coming weeks.
However, Mr. Jagdeo said he has concerns about the pace of the investigations into the recovery of the weapons. “Given the importance of this matter, I think it should be given the highest attention and staffed by very senior people,” he told reporters at the Office of the President.
The disappearance of the weapons, along with the murder of military student Amar Rajkumar while he was in training in April last, marked periods of embarrassment for the Army in 2006 and President Jagdeo has ordered that the weapons be found at all costs. Thirteen of the 30 AK-47 rifles discovered missing in February last have been recovered.
Speaking to reporters after he addressed soldiers at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, on December 20, Army Chief of Staff Brigadier General Edward Collins said while the enquiry into the disappearance of the weapons has been completed and a “multitude of breaches” were identified, the questions of who exactly moved the weapons and to where were left unanswered. (Guyana Cronicle /photo: webred.)
January 25, 2007
Roger
Khan moved to federal jail
Roger
Khan
Drug accused businessman, Roger Khan was yesterday transferred from the Nassau County Correctional centre, a state prison to a US federal facility. The move is seen as beefing up security around the Guyanese who is expected to go on trial around the middle of this year.
Khan had been indicted by a New York court for allegedly conspiring to import cocaine into the US and was recently refused bail. A source close to the Guyanese businessman said that the move to transfer Khan from a state prison to a federal prison could be viewed as an effort to maximize his security in the run up to his trial.
The source added that from reports he has received Khan's circumstances have changed since his last court date and yesterday's move to transfer him was the latest in a number of things that have occurred. When Khan was arrested by the US last year June, he was incarcerated at the Nassau State prison.
One of the businessman's lawyers said that under normal circumstances Khan would have been taken to a federal jail, but consideration might have been given to the fact that many Guyanese are being held in federal prisons and this may have opened up opportunities for him to contact potential witnesses and accusers. This, the lawyer said, the US authorities might have been trying to avoid and as such they placed him in a state prison.
The alleged drug dealer is now being held at the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City. The MCC is an administrative facility housing male and female pre-trial and holdover inmates. The jailhouse is located in lower Manhattan, New York adjacent to Foley Square and across the street from the Federal courthouse.
Stabroek News was told that the federal prisons are usually equipped with computers and as such Khan's interest in accessing a computer might be realized.
It is the first time since the Guyanese was detained that his name has shown up in a federal prison and this according to sources meant that the federal authorities are treating the case very seriously. Khan's lawyers have argued in court that the US government has no evidence to prosecute him and at one stage, one of the attorneys had filed a motion asking the US to withdraw the indictment.
Last week Robert Simels one of the accused's lawyers made an application seeking the court's permission for Khan to have a laptop computer while in prison. The application was made before US Judge Dora Lizette Irizarry who will rule on or before January 29 whether or not Khan will be allowed the laptop.
In his application, Simels said that Khan would like access to the computer in the law library of Nassau jail to assist in the preparation of his defence and to review materials in the pending matter. According to the application, if permission is granted the computer shall be maintained under the care and custody of the correctional facility during the time that Khan is incarcerated.
Khan is also asking that if his request is granted no other inmate, employees or agents of the Nassau jail should review the contents of the computer or any compact discs, as the contents are privileged and confidential. On January 16 Khan appeared at a bail hearing and was denied pre-trial liberty following lengthy arguments over several weeks.
The judge said then that he must be held without bail and continued to deem the case a complex one. The businessman has since filed an appeal against the decision to deny him bail. The appeal motion was filed on Monday. Judge Irizarry last week in denying bail to Khan said that she did not find that the defence had provided sufficient facts to guarantee that Khan will be present for the duration of the hearing if granted bail.
In addition, the judge said there is probable cause to believe Khan committed the offence listed in the indictment. The prosecution also indicated to the court that it has close to 800 pages of evidence on Khan, wire taps and witness testimony from Guyana and persons in the US who have been around Khan while he allegedly ran his drug trafficking organisation.
Khan also faces a superseding indictment which the judge requested be presented to her by the next court date scheduled for late February. (Stabroek News)
School
gang peddling marijuana
Police called in
Police were summoned on Tuesday to a city school after one of the students was found with a quantity of marijuana and it was later discovered that a gang was operating from the school peddling not only drugs but also stolen items.
Stabroek News was told that five male students of the school were detained. However, two of the students were reported to be back yesterday at the institution, which was recently in the news over another matter.
According to an official at the school, on Tuesday teachers there were making random checks after receiving reports that some students were selling drugs in the school. A form two student was discovered in a class with several packets of marijuana which were packaged for sale. The child was questioned extensively by the teachers but he refused to divulge information and the headmistress took the decision to call in the police.
This newspaper was told that three police officers visited the school and after questioning the child he broke down and called the name of a third form student who is reportedly the head of a group called the 'G Unit' which for sometime has been peddling illegal items in the school.
The names of three other students were called and they were all taken down to the station by the police with the alleged group leader vehemently denying any involvement.
According to reports the Ministry of Education has been informed about the incident and an investigation is expected to be launched. An official at the school said that regardless of how many of the alleged group members are charged by the police the school would attempt to have all of the members of the gang relocated to another institution.
The students who were held have reportedly told the police that it is not only marijuana they peddle but stolen video games and a shop in the area is their base. This newspaper was also told that some of the students are traumatised after seeing the police officers at the school and since then they have been talking about nothing else.
It is expected that at least one of the boys, on whom the drugs was found, would be charged. The parents of the children involved have been contacted on the matter and some of them have visited the school and were shocked to hear that their children have been involved in gang-related incidents. (Stabroek News)
January 24, 2007
African bees attacks on the rise
Attacks by the killer African bees are on the rise along the Guyana coast and residents are appealing to the authorities to go after the swarms before the situation worsens.An East Bank Demerara farmer died earlier this month after the bees attacked eight persons in the village back lands, and two residents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, were hospitalised Monday after the latest attacks.
Ramdai Matadin, 62, was among five family members attacked by the bees in their yard at Centre Street, Bath, around 15:00h Monday.
The others were treated and sent home but she was kept in the Fort Wellington Hospital, West Coast Berbice, for observation. Her condition was reported stable yesterday.
Shiroon Phillips, of Waterloo Street, Bath, two of her children, an adult neighbour and three others were fishing in a trench aback the village around the same time Monday when another set of bees attacked. The woman said she nearly drowned in the trench because she attempted to stay under the surface but ended up swallowing water.
She eventually jumped out of the trench and ran along a dam and the bees followed her, entangling themselves in her hair and stinging her on the face, neck and shoulders as she tried to escape from them. She said she eventually fell to the ground and the bees continued stinging her before flying off.
The others with her were treated and sent away but she was kept in the Fort Wellington Hospital pending observation and was expected to be discharged yesterday. Matadin said bees also stung and killed a dog in the village last week. She said that as far as she knew, up to yesterday morning the bees were still in the neighbourhood.
She hoped that action would be taken to remove the vicious insects which had apparently set up a colony or colonies in various parts of the village. The bees stung and killed two dogs In Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara last week and there have been reports of other dangerous attacks on people and animals as far west as the Essequibo Coast.
In the Friendship, East Bank Demerara attack, Abdool Hamied also known as `Dool’, 49, of Lot 6 Public Road, Friendship, died earlier this month as he was being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Hamied, his son, Tariq and six workers were attacked by the bees in Hamied’s farm.
Tariq told this newspaper they were working when the swarm attacked and while he and the others ran away, his father was not able to keep up because of his age. (Guyana Cronicle) Cop charged with taking $100,000 bribe
A policeman appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday charged indictably with wilfully attempting to obstruct the course of justice by trying to dispose of evidence.
The allegation against Colin Mercurious, 25, of Lot 226 Garnett Street, Newtown said, on September 18, 2006, at Camp Street, also in Georgetown, being an agent of the State, he obtained $100,000 from Donna Carter as an inducement not to give evidence in a matter involving the affairs of his principals.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Vic Puran, who represented the cop, asked that he be granted bail in a reasonable sum as his salary is $29,000 a month. The case will be called again on February 15. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 23, 2007
Two held at airport with cocaine in shoe soles
Were bound for Jamaica
Ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) yesterday morning nabbed two Jamaica-bound passengers at the Cheddi Jagan Inter-national Airport with cocaine stuffed in the soles of several pairs of shoes. The man and woman were on their way to Jamaica via Barbados on a Caribbean Airlines flight, CA 484.
According to a CANU official, the male was an outgoing passenger on the flight around 4.45 am when CANU ranks conducted a search of his checked luggage and found 281 grammes of cocaine.
The official said the man had three pairs of sneakers in his suitcase and cocaine was found wrapped in red plastic and concealed in the soles of one pair. The man was detained and questioned.
Around the same time, the female passenger was nabbed with 1 kilogramme 350 grammes of cocaine, some of which was concealed in the soles of a pair of sneakers she was wearing and the remainder in two other pairs of footwear - another pair of sneakers and a pair of slip-ons - that was in her checked luggage.
CANU ranks, acting on information following this find, raided a house on the East Coast Demerara where they discovered materials used to make false suitcase bottoms as well as a mattress suspected to be used for the concealment of cocaine and other illegal items.
CANU said the woman, who was also booked to leave on the flight to Jamaica, was found with the drugs after a short period of interrogation by ranks, which led to a subsequent search of her person and her luggage. According to an official, the woman was stopped by ranks and following her apparent uncertain responses to queries, a complete search was ordered.
Stabroek News understands that she told officials that she was on her way to see her boyfriend. However, according to reports, the woman had previous brushes with the law.
As both mules used the same method of concealment, officers were up to late yesterday trying to ascertain whether the two cases were linked. As regards the search on the East Coast Demerara, CANU said it was monitoring the frequency at which drug mules were using false suitcase bottoms to smuggle the illegal substance out of the country.
Officials said while there was nothing illegal about the material found at the East Coast premises, it could provide the lead to uncovering a suspected drug ring where persons would use false suitcase bottoms to ship drugs. No one was arrested at the East Coast house, but arrests could be made soon, one CANU official said.
Among the items found were one laminator, paste, and fibreglass as well as what appeared to be a false suitcase bottom. Drug mules continue to use several innovative methods to traffic the prohibited substance. In the past, mules were found with cocaine in cabbages, body lotions, molasses, pepper sauce, timber and rum. (Stabroek News)
‘Nut Man’ charged with murder of Parika girl
TONY MARKS called ‘Nut Man’
Police have charged Tony Marks nicknamed ‘Nut Man’ with the murder of nine-year-old Basmattie Seecharran, who was found dead on Parika beach, East Bank Essequibo, on January 16.
The 41-year-old accused, who Police said lives at Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday and the charge said he committed the offence on January 15.
“This is a frame charge. I’m not a murderer. I’ll cooperate with the Police until they find the perpetrator. Sir, please advise the policemen to continue their search for the one who killed the people’s daughter because I’m innocent,” the prisoner stated from the dock.
The charge reportedly followed statements obtained by detectives during the investigations when Marks also gave other addresses, including the infamous ‘Globe Yard’ in Waterloo Street, Georgetown.
The dead girl’s relatives were in the courtroom and Marks attempted to speak with them as he smiled his way through his appearance while reiterating his innocence. A post mortem examination said the girl’s death was due to blunt trauma to the head and manual strangulation and she had been sexually assaulted.
The case has been transferred to Leonora Court, West Coast Demerara, where Marks is to next appear on February 22. Until then, he was remanded to prison. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 22, 2007
Three brothers gunned down
Shawn Hescott
In November 1996, police killed Winston Hescott during an exchange of gunfire at Madewini Creek. He had had a long criminal track record and around the same time he died one of his brothers was having trouble with the law. Within a few months of his death that brother was killed and just two months ago another brother was gunned down execution style.
Initially one might want to ask what went wrong in the Hescott household. First Winston Hescott on Novem-ber 22, 1996; followed by Adam Hescott on August 3, 1997; then Shawn Hescott on November 7, 2006. A closer look at the family reveals a band of brothers and sisters totalling 11 in number, all raised in a difficult community and under tough circumstances.
Condemnation of the criminal actions of Winston and Adam comes easily; both had police records of robberies and in one case, numerous carjackings. Yet a quick look at the physical surroundings in which they were brought up paints a grim picture and offers an indication that the challenge to stay on the straight and narrow would be difficult.
There were other children in the Hescott household who never got involved in crime, but they could be called the resilient ones. Strong because not only was there desolation at home, but almost everywhere else in the community. Still they got through it.
Winston and Adam were both under age 25 years and were known by the police. Shawn had no criminal record but died in the same manner his brothers did.
On the day Winston died he and two others had hijacked a car and were hiding out on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Police set up a roadblock and eventually caught up with them. Winston managed to escape and the other two were shot dead. When police confronted him a day later he opened fired and was killed in a shoot-out.
In Adam's case he had escaped from the Camp Street jail along with seven others and had gone home. Police traced him there and he was killed during a confrontation. The police said he advanced with an ice-pick, but witnesses at the scene and relatives said he was unarmed and was killed in cold blood.
What went wrong is a question their mother Desiree Hescott has repeatedly asked herself and still finds difficult to answer. She said it haunts her to this day and she has not been able to deal with it. "I had to bear up and look after me younger ones. I have a 12-year-old in school now and I have to mek sure he come up the right way. I have to see that he is alright," Desiree Hescott said.
She said her boys did have trouble with the law and that from time to time she had cause to speak with them about their behaviour but they failed to heed her advice. In the months leading up to Winston's death, she said, he appeared to have been coming around. Whenever he was at home, she recalled, he assisted doing things around the home and spent time with his brothers and sisters.
According to her, he did regular things and that made her happy. Shortly after there was police trouble then came the morning of November 22, 1996. The news reached her at home and she later went to the Georgetown Hospital morgue to identify the body. A few days later she buried him and prayed that he would have been the only child to die before her.
But what happened next was that Adam started having police trouble. It became too much to handle for Desiree at that time because Winston had only died a few months prior and she was trying to be strong for the other children. The woman said she had support from her husband, but emotionally the children looked to her.
When she said this for the first time during the interview she appears fragile. The statement she constantly makes about being strong for her children is evident now more than ever as she fights back tears. She again repeats that her 12-year-old looks to her every day and that she cannot show signs of weakness.
Adam Hescott
Desiree said that when both Adam and Shawn were killed she was at home and heard the gunshots. In 1997, she recalled that Adam went home and told her that he had escaped from prison. "I tell he to go back where he come from. I couldn't believe he do duh and I de frighten fuh he. Everybody home tell he to go back but de police come and shoot he."
From what she was told, the woman said, the police cornered her son in Middle Road and shot him dead. Persons at the scene told her he had thrown his hands up in surrender but the police shot him anyhow.
And when Shawn was killed, she said, she heard that two masked men went up to him and shot him after uttering the words, "Is you we come fuh". She had heard the gunshots but thought nothing of it. Then her daughter started screaming Shawn's name.
Looking back, she said there might have been things she could have done differently as a mother but she is not sure if they would have worked. She said the boys were at a stage where they made their own decisions and she could no longer control them. All she could do was talk to them.
In her quiet moments she remembers her sons and sometimes wishes that they were still around. She said they were good boys growing up and she did not have to ask them to do work around the house, they just went about doing things.
Before the police trouble and everything that followed, she said, her sons would pass their days doing odd jobs. She said they would work one day and the next day they would be at home sitting around. This was something she had a problem with.
Burying three sons is something Desiree said she would not wish on another mother. She said it has been hard both emotionally and financially. Even now many things are still a struggle for her but she has remained positive and has one sole focus-her young son.
Since 1997 when Adam died, she said, police trouble is something the family has steered clear of. She prays it remains that way. (Iana Seales/Stabroek News)
Final three bad men down
All of the nine convicted prisoners who staged a daring escape from the Mazaruni Prisons on the afternoon of January 12 last by overpowering two prison warders, were recaptured by 14:55 h yesterday, officials said.
They were all, under tight security, later flown to the city where the Guyana Chronicle learnt they will be processed and placed before the court for this new misdemeanour, escaping from lawful custody.
The remaining three fugitives, Randolph Rodrigues, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, who was serving time for manslaughter; Kenneth Richardson, also called `Ricky Stephen’, from the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam, who was serving sentence for manslaughter; and Ryan Ramfarose of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, jailed for larceny, were recaptured on Tiger Island, a portion of land on the opposite bank of Makouria Island.
Tiger Island is on the Cuyuni River and on the left bank of both the Mazaruni and Essequibo rivers, 25 kilometres up. Richardson, and Ramfarose, who was due to complete his sentence in July were nabbed at around 0:700 h and escorted back to the Mazaruni Prisons at about 11:00 h, while Rodrigues was nabbed later. He was returned to the prisons at about 14:55 h.
Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine commended the Joint Services who, according to him, showed that they can respond swiftly and be successful in such operations. He was loud in praise of the ranks who were “in the bush” to hunt down the escapees.
Erskine also expressed thanks to Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier General Edward Collins, who is also head of the Joint Services, and Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, for their cooperation and coordination in responding to a situation which he said “could have very well turned out to be a serious threat to society.”
The Prisons Director noted too, that the fact that none of the escapees were killed is testimony to the professionalism with which the Joint Services ranks discharged their duties in such a “testing ordeal”.
The nine who had escaped from the Mazaruni Prisons were Trevor McLean, called `Footprint’, of Linden; Royston Reid, also called `Knuckles’, of 163 Alexander Street, Kitty; Alvin Shivnarine, no address given, and Anil Sanichar of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky'; Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman’; Rodrigues; Richardson and Ramfarose.
McLean, Reid, Sanichar and Shivnarine were caught last Monday at Karabu, Bartica; Khan was nabbed Wednesday morning when a boatman he stopped at Kamayra Point, Cuyuni for a lift, recognised and outsmarted him, by dropping him at a wharf close to the prisons and then alerted the Joint Services; Sooklall was captured Thursday as he was attempting to enter an abandoned house at Karau, Bartica.
Sooklall and Khan, called ‘Rocky', were both serving a 25-year sentence for the ruthless rape and killing of 13-year-old Wakenaam schoolgirl, Julie Sooklall in November, 2004. The two committed the offence, along with another, 19-year-old Kumar, called ‘Rattle' who was also convicted of the offence and sentenced to 18 years. The trial was presided over by Justice Claudette La Bennett at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast in July 2005.
As the manhunt got under way January 12, two prison warders and two policemen were shot in what Erskine said was as a result of friendly fire under poor visibility. Of the four who were warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, only one remains a patient.
Erskine had throughout the operations expressed confidence in the ability of the Joint Services to re-capture the nine, saying “it was just a matter of time” before they were all nabbed. The two warders the convicts overpowered in their bid to escape were relieved of their duties to allow for an unhindered probe into the jail-break, in accordance with standard procedure.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has established a Board of Inquiry, pursuant to the Prison Service Act, to probe the jailbreak. The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the minister has appointed six persons to serve on the board, including former Commissioner of Police Floyd McDonald, Crime Prevention Specialist Errol Van Nooten and Assistant Superintendent of the Guyana Prison Service Rev. Fay Clarke.
It said the board will inquire into several issues, including the circumstances of the escape, prior to, during and after the escape, all matters relating to and/or incidental to the escape and the existing security arrangements in respect of the custody, management, and control of prisoners with specific reference to those who may be classified as “dangerous prisoners” at the Mazaruni Prison.
Mr. Rohee said the Board of Inquiry will begin its work January 24, 2007 and complete it by February 5, 2007. Upon conclusion of the inquiry the board will submit a report on its findings to the ministry by February 9, 2007, the agency said. (Wendella Davidson/Guyana Cronicle)
January 21, 2007
Ex-Top Cop in team to probe Mazaruni jailbreak
Still on the run:
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has established a Board of Inquiry, pursuant to the Prison Service Act, to probe the jailbreak at the Mazaruni Prisons two Fridays ago.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) yesterday said the minister has appointed six persons to serve on the board, including former Commissioner of Police Floyd McDonald, Crime Prevention Specialist Errol Van Nooten and Assistant Superintendent of the Guyana Prison Service Rev. Fay Clarke.
It said the board will inquire into several issues, including the circumstances of the escape, prior to, during and after the escape, all matters relating to and/or incidental to the escape and the existing security arrangements in respect of the custody, management, and control of prisoners with specific reference to those who may be classified as “dangerous prisoners” at the Mazaruni Prison.
Mr. Rohee said the Board of Inquiry will begin its work January 24, 2007 and complete it by February 5, 2007. Upon conclusion of the inquiry the board will submit a report on its findings to the ministry by February 9, 2007, the agency said.
Nine prisoners escaped during a routine feeding exercise at the prison on January 12. Six have been recaptured in an extensive search by Joint Services teams and the hunt was late yesterday continuing for the other three, officials said.
Still on the run were Randolph Rodrigues, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, who was serving time for manslaughter; Kenneth Richardson, also called `Ricky Stephen’, from the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam, who was serving sentence for manslaughter; and Ryan Rambharose of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Those who have been recaptured are Trevor McLean, called `Footprint’, of Linden; Royston Reid, also called `Knuckles’, of 163 Alexander Street, Kitty; Alvin Shivnarine, no address given, and Anil Sanichar of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo – they were caught Monday at Karabu, Bartica.
Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky' was nabbed Wednesday morning when a boatman he stopped at Kamayra Point, Cuyuni for a lift, recognised and outsmarted him, by dropping him at a wharf close to the prisons and then alerting the Joint Services ranks there. Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman’, who was captured Thursday as he was attempting to enter an abandoned house at Karau, Bartica.
Sooklall and Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky', were both serving a 25-year sentence for the ruthless rape and killing of 13-year-old Wakenaam schoolgirl, Julie Sooklall in November, 2004.
The two committed the offence, along with another, 19-year-old Kumar, called ‘Rattle' who was also convicted of the said offence and sentenced to 18 years. The trial was presided over by Justice Claudette La Bennett at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast in July 2005.
Poor visibility in the forested Skull Point area after the jailbreak resulted in the unfortunate wounding by “friendly fire” of two prison officers, Phillip Stevenson and Michael Hossanah and two policemen, Leonard La Rose and Richie Blanhum.
La Rose, who was shot in the abdomen, and Stephenson, shot in the region of the chest, were discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Friday. Hosannah, who sustained a bullet wound to the right shin, was discharged from the hospital earlier in the week. Blanhum, who was shot in the legs, was operated on last week and is on the road to recovery. His condition has been described as stable.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of any of the fugitives is asked to contact the Police on the following numbers 225-8196, 226-6978, 226-1326, 225-3650, 225-6411, 225-6940, 225-6941, 333-2151, 229-2700, 268-2222, 444-6941, 771-4010, 771-4012, 911 or any Police Station.
Contact could also be made with the Guyana Prison Service on telephone numbers 225-6003, 226-8301 or 226-5855-6. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 20, 2007
Slain baker knew his killers
Witness
GRIEVING MOTHER: Fatima Kissoon
His grieving mother, Fatima Kissoon, 54, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that an eyewitness, who has since spoken to the Police, gave that indication.
She said her son and the friends had a falling out last week and they had a heated argument but he did not tell her about it. The woman said her son kept to himself and he was her companion at home where he spent hours playing video games or would ride around, after work, in the area where he lived.
Kissoon, of Lot 24, Riverview, Ruimveldt, also in Georgetown, had borrowed his nephew’s new bicycle to go and retrieve a television remote control from a technician. Along the way, he met a friend, who was seen towing him when he was attacked by two men who kicked him off the bike and shot him on one shoulder.
Eyewitnesses said the wounded man stumbled and tried to run away but one of his three attackers pumped three more shots into his chest and he collapsed on the street. Reports said the trio rode off on bicycles through a nearby alley after making sure Kissoon was dead.
Scores of relatives gathered at the home of the dead yesterday to comfort his mother who wept continuously as she clutched a photograph of her son. I have to stand up and make sure his killers are apprehended because he was such a decent son and he never troubled anyone”, she pledged.
Police investigating the killing said they were following some leads up to press time. (Guyana Cronicle)
Baker was shot four times -post-mortem
A post-mortem examination conducted on Andrew Kissoon revealed that he was shot four times. Relatives remain clueless as to the reason for his execution-style death. Kissoon called 'Lovie' a 24-year-old baker of Riverview Ruimveldt was fatally shot around 7 pm on Thursday. So far no suspects have been held and police are continuing their investigation into the shooting.
Reports are that Kissoon was riding along Middle Road, La Penitence when two men rode up on a bicycle and shot him at close range. The wounded man was able to walk a few steps before collapsing on the road. The men then made good their escape with the dead man's bicycle.
Friends and family of the man were inconsolable as they saw Kissoon's motionless body on the road. Police removed the body around 9.30 pm, more than two hours after the shooting occurred. Relatives had told this newspaper on the night of the shooting that Kissoon was a very quiet person and was never in any problems with anyone.
One of Kissoon's eight siblings, Harry, told Stabroek News yesterday that he had been a baker on and off for about three years. He said his brother wasn't working that night and he had no idea where he was headed. According to Harry, the area where Kissoon was killed was one he visited regularly. He said he was not aware of any problems his brother had with anyone. He said the post-mortem examination conducted yesterday showed that his brother took one bullet in the shoulder and three in the back.
His brother's bicycle, he said, has not been recovered. Two months ago two masked gunmen riddled 39-year-old Shawn Hescott with bullets as he sat talking with two women on Middle Road, La Penitence, a stone's throw away from his home. The motive for that shooting is also unknown and so far no one has been arrested in connection with Hescott's killing. (Stabroek News)
January 19, 2007
Riverview man executed
Andrew Kissoon
A young man of Riverview, Ruimveldt was brutally shot to death in Middle Road, La Penitence last evening by two men who calmly rode away on a pedal bicycle.
Dead is 24-year-old Andrew Kissoon called 'Lovie' who was fatally shot at around 7 pm. According to an eyewitness, the two men rode up and shot the man at close range. Kissoon, the witness said, was able to walk a few steps before collapsing to the ground.
When this newspaper arrived on the scene the Police were securing the area and the body lay on the ground in the middle of the road. Friends and family of the young man were inconsolable as they saw Kissoon motionless on the ground. Police removed the body at around 9.30 last night, more than two hours after the shooting.
According to the family members, the man worked at a baker shop and had been heading to work when the shooting occurred. Asked whether Kissoon had enemies, relatives said that he was very quiet and was never in any problem with anyone. The shooting didn't appear to be robbery-related.
The police for last year recorded upwards of 130 cases of murder with 43 of these being execution-style killings and 47 domestic-related. Crime Chief Heeralall Makhanlall said that execution-style killings accounted for 58 per cent of the total number of murders.
Last year was one of the most violent in this country's history with several high profile killings, including those of Minister of Agriculture Sash Sawh, talk show host Ronald Waddell, contractor Gazz Sheermohamed, eight persons in a bloodbath in Agricola and Eccles and eight people, including five staff members of Kaieteur News, in another East Bank massacre. (Stabroek News)
Two held for murder of Parika girl
Two suspects were in Police custody yesterday as investigations continued into the murder of a nine-year-old girl whose body was found Tuesday, trapped between some logs behind a sawmill at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
Both men were nabbed at Parika after a post mortem report revealed that Basmattie Seecharran, of Lot 1982 Parika Public Road, died as a result of blunt trauma to the head and manual strangulation. The child was also sexually assaulted, the autopsy confirmed.
Police said the child had gone to bathe at the riverside about 14:00 h on Monday but did not return home by 18:00 h and her mother launched a search that did not yield results that night. But, the following day at 08:45 h, Police informed the woman about the discovery of the corpse which she later identified as that of her daughter. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 18, 2007
Nine-year-old girl raped, murdered
MURDERED: Basmattie Seecharran
Post mortem examination was conducted on the body (yesterday) and the cause of death was due to blunt trauma to the head and manual strangulation. She was also sexually assaulted,” Police reported last night.
The girl, of 1982 Parika Public Road, went to bathe at the riverside around 14:00 h Monday, but when she failed to return four hours later, her mother decided to launch a search, Police said.
However, at about 08:45h Tuesday, she was informed by the police about the discovery of a body which she later identified as her daughter. Police were at first treating her death as drowning, but relatives were suspicious that the girl did not die that way. Police said investigations are continuing. (Guyana Cronicle)
Convicted rapist, killer recaptured
Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky'Five down -- four to go, was the count last evening as the hunt continued for the gang of convicts that escaped last Friday from the Mazaruni Prisons. Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky', was nabbed yesterday morning after he sought assistance from a boatman at Kamayra Point, Cuyuni, to transport him from the area under the pretext that he was lost.
At the time of his escape, Khan and another convict still on the run, Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman’, were serving a 25-year sentence for the ruthless rape and murder of 13-year-old Wakenaam schoolgirl, Julie Sooklall in November, 2004.
The two committed the offence, along with another, 19-year-old Kumar, called ‘Rattle' who was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in jail by Justice Claudette La Bennett presiding at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast in July 2005.
He is now back behind bars along with fellow recaptured escapees Trevor McLean, called `Footprint’, of Linden; Royston Reid, also called `Knuckles’, of 163 Alexander Street, Kitty; Alvin Shivnarine, no address given, and Anil Sanichar of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo.
The others were caught around 16:50 h Monday at Karabu, Bartica by the Joint Services search team. McLean was shot in his shoulder in the process and was treated at the Bartica Hospital.
Still at large last night were Randolph Rodrigues, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara; Sooklall; Kenneth Richardson, also called `Ricky Stephen’, from the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam; and Ryan Rambharose of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Sources at Bartica told the Guyana Chronicle Khan was captured after he hailed down a boat captain in the vicinity of Kamayra Point, under the pretext that he was lost. The boat captain who was en route to Bartica apparently recognised Khan, unknown to him.
Further questioning led the prisoner to disclose his identity but the boatman maintained his composure and dropped him off at a wharf and immediately alerted Joint Services personnel in the vicinity.
The gang of nine fled from the Mazaruni Prisons Friday after overpowering guards. On Tuesday the Joint Services search teams reported sighting Rodrigues who dropped a bucket with plantains and fled into the forest.
The Police have been urging members of the public to cooperative and assist in the recapture of the wanted men, who though when they escaped had no guns were still considered dangerous as they had sharpened improvised implements and cutlasses.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, at a news conference Saturday, had cautioned against persons assisting the escaped prisoners, saying anyone caught doing so will feel the “full force of the law”. He had even urged the relatives of the wanted men to cooperate and assist by alerting the Joint Services about any information they may have of the men on the run.
Director of Prisons Director Dale Erskine had said since Saturday that quick action by the Joint Services to cordon off key exit points had trapped the men and it was only a matter of time before they would all be caught.
Poor visibility in the forested Skull Point area Friday afternoon resulted in the unfortunate wounding by “friendly fire” of two prison officers, Phillip Stevenson and Michael Hossanah and two policemen, Leonard La Rose and Richie Blanhum. Hossanah has since been discharged from hospital while the remaining three are said to be recovering.
The two prison warders overpowered by the prisoners Friday as they fled, have been relieved of their duties to allow for a smooth flow of the probe under way into the jailbreak.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of any of the fugitives is asked to contact the Police on the following numbers 225-8196, 226-6978, 226-1326, 225-3650, 225-6411, 225-6940, 225-6941, 333-2151, 229-2700, 268-2222, 444-6941, 771-4010, 771-4012, 911 or any Police Station.
Contact could also be made with the Guyana Prison Service on telephone numbers 225-6003, 226-8301 or 226-5855-6. (Wendella Davidson/Guyana Cronicle)
Cops shoot bandit after foiled robbery
The house which the bandits tried to rob yesterday morningSwift action by Police resulted in three men being nabbed after a foiled robbery on the East Bank Demerara yesterday morning. Of the trio in custody, one was arrested following a lively chase.
Housewife, Marie Ugashwar, 45, said two gunmen, pretending to be friends of her son, pounced at her Lot 64 Section ‘C’ home in the new housing scheme in Golden Grove.
They entered her yard and were about to open the unlocked grill door to the bottom flat of building when the next door neighbour, who saw the duo, drove a short distance away, to the newly built Golden Grove Police Station and informed ranks who dashed to the scene.
The cops shot one of the two bandits who, however, managed to evade capture in a getaway motor car but were later arrested. Ugashwar told the Guyana Chronicle she was in her kitchen in the lower part of her two-storey house when she heard a noise about 10:30 h. She said she went to the front door and saw a man who was about to open the grill door.
Another man, neatly dressed, was with him and the sight of the two caused her to confront them immediately. The woman said she asked them what they wanted and the men enquired of her son by name but she informed that he was not at home.
Ugashwar said one man pulled out his cellular phone exposing a handgun that was tucked in his waist and telephoned someone and she slammed the door shut, prompting them to leave. She said the neighbour was attracted from in his yard and, as he observed the suspicious men leaving, he went for the Police.
The Ugashwars operate a trucking service and might have been under surfveillance by the robbers who were seen lurking in the area. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 17, 2007
Couple in suspected double suicide
The home which the couple sharedA young couple died tragically Monday evening after ingesting a toxic substance in an apparent double suicide.
Dead are 23-year-old Imtiaz Alli nicknamed ‘Wizzy’ and his reputed wife, Yasmattie Ramroop known as ‘Debbie’, 18, of Lot 39 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo.
Neighbours told the Guyana Chronicle that, around 17:45 h, Alli returned home and, when he found his spouse lying dead on the living room floor, was overcome with grief and drank the substance which was in a bottle on a table.
He was seen frothing and died while being conveyed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, from drinking what was later identified as the pesticide ‘monocrotofos’.
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The couple and their one-year-old son Vickram on Christmas DayPeople living nearby said Ramroop purchased the poison earlier in the day and took it to the house where she lived with Alli. Alli’s sister, Zaimoon Alli said both families are in a state of shock because, although the two, now dead, would occasionally quarrel, it never escalated.
However, Ramroop’s mother, Anjanie Ramroop said Alli often abused her daughter and the teenager would complain but later report that they have “patched things up”. The older Ramroop said she previously pleaded with her daughter to end the relationship.
People in the neighbourhood claimed the couple’s problems surrounded another woman with whom Alli had been living previously and fathered two children.
The deceased duo had a one-year-old son, Vickram called ‘Akash’ and Ramroop also had a three-year-old son from a prior union. (Guyana Cronicle)
Roger Khan denied bail
Any hopes Shaheed `Roger’ Khan, the controversial Guyanese businessman on remand in a Long Island detention facility awaiting trial, had of being reunited with his family through pretrial liberty, were dashed yesterday when his request for bail was refused.
Khan, alias `Short Man’, who is charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, yesterday appeared before Justice Dora Lizzette Irizary, presiding at the U.S. Eastern District Court on Tillary Street in downtown Brooklyn on a scheduled bail hearing.
That hearing was initially scheduled for January 4 last, but was rescheduled on account of the illness of Justice Irizary.
Khan’s defence team was seeking to have him released on bail and had reportedly offered a hefty bail package in real estate and some 10 guarantors to sign but the prosecution was vigorously opposing on the grounds that he is a “flight risk” having fled from the U.S. to avoid prosecution in 1994.
A brother of the jailed Guyanese businessman was scheduled to testify on his behalf in the all out bid by the defence to have the court grant Khan his freedom until his trial date. Reports said Khan will have his next day in court on February 26. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 16, 2007
Four convicts nabbed
The relentless sweep for the nine convicts, who overpowered guards and fled the Mazaruni Prisons Friday afternoon, yielded success late yesterday afternoon with Joint Services teams recapturing four of them near Bartica, officials said.
Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine last night told the Guyana Chronicle the search teams had reported sighting eight of the prison escapees.
The Joint Services, in a press release, said those caught are Trevor McLean, called `Footprint’, of Linden; Royston Reid, also called `Knuckles’, of 163 Alexander Street, Kitty; Alvin Shivnarine, no address given, and Anil Sanichar of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. They were nabbed at about 16:50 h at Karau, Bartica. McLean is reported to have sustained a gunshot wound in the shoulder.
Sources told the Guyana Chronicle the men reportedly approached a house at Karau and requested assistance from a female. The woman is said to have given them some relief, including pots. The Police are seeking the woman to aid them in their investigations, said a source, who noted that top sleuths are in the Bartica area conducting investigations.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, at a news conference Saturday, had cautioned against persons assisting the escaped prisoners, saying anyone caught doing so will feel the “full force of the law”. He had even urged the relatives of the wanted men to cooperate and assist by alerting the Joint Services of any information they may have of the men on the run, who though not armed with guns are considered dangerous.
The Joint Services were last night pursuing those still on the run -- Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman’; Kenneth Richardson, also called `Ricky Stephen’, and Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky', all from the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam; Randolph Rodrigues of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara; and Ryan Rambharose of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Erskine last night reiterated his optimism that it is just a matter of time before they are all recaptured and be back behind bars. At a news conference Saturday, he was adamant that the Joint Services search teams, having cordoned off the main exit points by early Saturday morning, had cornered the escapees.
In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle earlier yesterday, Erskine said the teams, having re-combed Skull Point and Karau Creek areas without success, had turned their attention to beyond the cordon points and searches were also being conducted at several Essequibo locations, including Wakenaam Island, where some of the prisoners are from, and even in the interior.
“We have not completely ruled out the initial cordon areas; anything is possible…we are going to search all over until they are found,” Erskine stressed. Noting that the jailbreak was a “great breach”, he said that as a result all the country’s prison locations are on “red alert”.
Asked whether action will be taken against the recaptured men as well as the others when they too are caught, Erskine said “most definitely”. One of the escapes, Rambharose, who was convicted for larceny, was due to be released in July. Prisoners Sooklall and Khan were serving a 25-year sentence each for the ruthless rape and murder of 13-year-old Wakenaam schoolgirl, Julie Sooklall in November, 2004.
The two committed the offence, along with another, 19-year-old Kumar, called ‘Rattle' who was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in jail by Justice Claudette La Bennett presiding at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast in July 2005.
Sanichar and Rambharose were each serving five-year prison terms for manslaughter; McLean, 10 years for manslaughter; Reid, three years for trafficking and Shivnarine was being kept at the President’s time for murder, Erskine told a news conference Saturday.
Two of the escapees, whose names he did not disclose, were scheduled to be brought to the city for medical treatment today. The manhunt saw the unfortunate wounding by “friendly fire” of two prison officers, Phillip Stevenson and Michael Hossanah and two policemen, Leonard La Rose and Richie Blanhum. Hossanah has since being discharged from hospital.
Anyone having information about the whereabouts of any of the fugitives is asked to contact the Police on the following numbers 225-8196, 226-6978, 226-1326, 225-3650, 225-6411, 225-6940, 225-6941, 333-2151, 229-2700, 268-2222, 444-6941, 771-4010, 771-4012, 911 or any Police Station.
Contact could also be made with the Guyana Prison Service on telephone numbers 225-6003, 226-8301 or 226-5855-6. (Wendella Davidson/Guyana Cronicle)
January 15, 2007
Convicts still on the run
The nine convicts who overpowered guards and fled from the Mazaruni Prisons Friday were still on the run up to last night but officials feel it’s only a matter of time before they are caught.
Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine is anxious to have them all back behind bars and remains optimistic that will be accomplished. He told the Guyana Chronicle in a telephone interview yesterday that Joint Services search teams, having re-combed the initial cordoned off Skull Point and Karrow Creek areas without any success, have now shifted their focus to beyond those points.
On Saturday the teams had found two discarded regiment shirts which are issued to prisoners. At a news conference Saturday at the Police Officers Mess in Georgetown, Erskine, responding to a query, said it is possible some of the convicts may have been familiar with the escape route they used.
He said the route is in a logging area where the prisoners may have worked either in work gangs while incarcerated, or possibly, before they were charged and convicted. And, while officials have determined that the gang did not leave the jail with guns and were carrying only improvised weapons and cutlasses, they did not rule out the possibility the men may have received outside help in the escape plan.
The nine escaped convicts are Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman’, Kenneth Richardson, also called `Ricky Stephen’ and Asrudeen Khan, called ‘Rocky', all from the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam; Randolph Rodrigues of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara; Royston Reid, also called `Knuckles’, of 163 Alexander Street, Kitty; Trevor McLean, called `Footprint’, of Linden; Alvin Shivnarine, no address given; Anil Sanichar of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, and Ryan Rambharose of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Prisoners Sooklall and Khan were serving a 25-year sentence each for the ruthless rape and murder of 13-year-old Wakenaam schoolgirl, Julie Sooklall in November, 2004. The two committed the offence, along with another, 19-year-old Kumar, called ‘Rattle' who was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in jail by Justice Claudette La Bennett presiding at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast in July 2005.
Sanichar and Rambharose were each serving five-year prison terms for manslaughter; McLean, 10 years for manslaughter; Reid, three years for trafficking and Shivnarine was being kept at the President’s time for murder, Erskine told a news conference Saturday.
He said too that Rambharose who was convicted for larceny was due to be released in July, while two of the escapees, whose names he did not disclose, were scheduled to be brought to the city for medical treatment tomorrow.
Two prison officers, Phillip Stevenson and Michael Hossanah and two policemen, Leonard La Rose and Richie Blanhum, were shot while pursuing the escapees. But Erskine said it has been established they were shot as a result of “friendly fire” and not at the hands of the men on the run. Hossanah, who was shot on the right shin, has since been discharged from hospital.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee who was also at the press briefing Saturday, issued a public appeal for the “unqualified support” of the residents of the communities in the vicinity of the Mazaruni Prisons, to the Joint Services in the quest to recapture the escaped prisoners.
He also called on the families of the escapees to cooperate by alerting the Joint Services of any information they may have of the men on the run, who though not armed with guns are considered dangerous.
Meanwhile, anyone having information about the whereabouts of any of the fugitives is asked to contact the Police on the following numbers 225-8196, 226-6978, 226-1326, 225-3650, 225-6411, 225-6940, 225-6941, 333-2151, 229-2700, 268-2222, 444-6941, 771-4010, 771-4012, 911 or any Police Station.
Contact could also be made with the Guyana Prison Service on telephone numbers 225-6003, 226-8301 or 226-5855-6. (Wendella Davidson/Guyana Cronicle)
January 13, 2007
Drug gang linked to Roger Khan on trial in Suriname
'Black' identified as Guyanese drug lord
The trial of several suspects said to be connected with drug-indicted Guyanese businessman Roger Khan resumed this week in a court in Suriname, according to a report from Caribbean Net News in Paramaribo.
Khan has been incarcerated in the US since June 2006 on charges that he conspired to import cocaine into the US between January 2001 and March 2006. The story by Caribbean Net News correspondent Ivan Cairo said yesterday that the suspects, including another Guyanese businessman, were captured in June 2006 in Paramaribo in a drug bust that netted over 200 kilos of cocaine.
In this case presided over by Judge Iwan Rasoelbaks, Surinamese entrepreneur Steve Douglas, 51, is the main suspect. The report said that according to court documents, Douglas, the owner of a popular hunting and fishing gear shop, had organized several drug shipments from Guyana to Suriname.
Two suspects which the report identified as Prawien P. and Guyanese Radesh R. gave statements before the court alleging that another Guyanese businessman, only identified as 'Black' was a key player. The drugs were shipped to Douglas while drug mule Prawien P. would deliver the cocaine to a Surinamese drug kingpin just west of the capital, Paramaribo.
Prawien told the court that he had participated in the drug ring because of financial troubles, and he would receive US$8,000 for his cooperation. According to both suspects, who in this week's session gave evidence as witnesses, they were involved in at least three large cocaine shipments, the report said further.
Prawien stated that for the first two successful deliveries he received a total of US$400,000 which he handed over to Radesh, who subsequently delivered the cash to 'Black' in Guyana. Both men told the court that they were present at meetings with 'Black' and other individuals to discuss cocaine transactions. The trial has been adjourned until January 29.
The report said also that when the gang was busted on June 15, 2006, police discovered 109 parcels totalling 109 kilos of cocaine in Prawien's home. The rest of the cocaine was seized in a car near the house where Khan and his three bodyguards were nabbed. Two weeks after his arrest Khan was expelled and en route to Guyana he was intercepted by US drug officials in Trinidad and Tobago and whisked away to the US to stand trial before a Brooklyn court.
Khan's bodyguards, Sean Belfield, Paul Rodrigues and Lloyd Roberts, early last month changed their pleas to guilty on the charge of illegal departure before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan and were fined $20,000 each at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court. They were accused of departing by sea between June 15 and 16 at Springlands, Corentyne from a port not authorized for such departures. (Stabroek News)
Four shot after Mazaruni jailbreak
Two Prison Officers and two Policemen shot while pursuing nine convicted prisoners who escaped from the Mazaruni Prisons yesterday, were flown to the city last night as the Joint Services launched an intensive hunt for the men on the run.Two men convicted for raping and killing a 13-year old schoolgirl in 2004 were among those who escaped from the jail after overpowering a guard and members of the Army’s Special Forces unit were among those flown into area to hunt down the escapees, sources said.
Those shot by the fleeing gang and admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation last night were Prison Officers Michael Hosanah, of Berbice, and Phillip Stephenson of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara; and Policemen Leonard La Rose and Richie Blanhum, both stationed at Bartica, sources said.
The two policemen and two prison officers were shot by members of the gang who reportedly split up, but were holding out at Skull Point on the Mazaruni River, according to the sources.
Prison Officer Michael Hosanah at the GPHC after midnight last night.
Hosanah said he was detailed with a gang of prisoners on work assignment when he heard the prison siren around 16:30 h, signalling an emergency. He said he immediately went to the main prison building and was told that prisoners had escaped.
Hosanah said he was in a party of eight officers who joined others in the search for the escapees.He said they were on the trail of the fleeing prisoners about an hour after when they spotted five men lying in bushes and someone shouted `Warders!’
According to Hosanah, his party came under immediate gunfire from the men they had seen and he was shot on the right shin. Hosanah said his fellow warder Stephenson was shot in the left side chest.
Prison Officer Michael Stephenson’s wife, Jane Ann Adams, left, and his mother Esme Stephenson at the hospital.
The two, he said, were taken for treatment at the Bartica Hospital where they learnt that two cops were also shot by the escaped prisoners. La Rose was reportedly shot in the shoulder around 20:00 h and Blanhum was hit in the left foot.
An official at the Mazaruni Prisons late last night said the hunt was continuing for the prisoners who escaped around 16:30 h. A contingent of the Joint Services was deployed for the manhunt and reinforcements were being flown in by Roraima Airways aircraft as the operation intensified last night, sources said.
Those on the run were Randolph Rodrigues; Kenneth Richardson; Ryan Reid; Trevor McLean; Alizarudin Khan, called ‘Rocky'; Alvin Shivnarine; Dineshwar Sooklall, called ‘Tallboy’ and `Buckman'; Anil Sancharran and Ryan Ranforose.
Prisoners Sooklall and Khan were serving a 25-year sentence each for the ruthless rape and murder of 13-year-old Wakenaam Island schoolgirl, Julie Sooklall in November, 2004.
The two committed the offence, along with another, 19-year-old Kumar, called ‘Rattle' who was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in jail by Justice Claudette La Bennett presiding at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast in July 2005.
A senior prison official said the jailbreak occurred yesterday afternoon when prisoners were being served meals. The nine reportedly overpowered a prison officer and fled. In November 2005, five prisoners escaped from the Mazaruni Prisons but were recaptured in a Joint Services operation. (Guyana Cronicle/Wendella Davidson/Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)
Jailed juror released as judge shows mercy
Justice Claudette La Bennett relented yesterday and ordered the release of the Demerara Assizes juror she had jailed for contempt of court Thursday. The judge had sentenced Cheryl London to seven days imprisonment but showed mercy to the contemnor yesterday afternoon.
London was allowed to go home Thursday night but instructed to be back at the Police outpost at the High Court yesterday morning. She was finally freed at 17:00 h yesterday. Justice La Bennett told the Guyana Chronicle: “The message has been sent.”
The contempt offence was committed when London refused the take the oath and sit on the jury panel at the murder trial of Mark Anthony Wong, who is indicted for the unlawful killing of Kurt Bacchus.
The woman had cited her religious belief that constrained her from swearing on the Holy Bible or taking the oath by affirmation. The judge aborted the proceedings and Wong will face a new trial. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 12, 2007
Mutilated body of missing Berbice cane cutter found
The badly mutilated body of a cane harvester who was allegedly killed by relatives of his wife on January 3 was discovered floating in a trench around 11:30 am yesterday. The man's wife and relatives are in police custody. The strong smell from the remains of Kosal Ramawad, 22, called `Davo' of Number 65 Village led to the discovery of his body by a woman who had walked through the track to cut coconut branches.
Relatives told Stabroek News that they recognized the body from "rotten teeth" in his mouth. They said the nude corpse was found face down in the water with only the back showing. The boy's mother, Indira said when her son was lifted out of the trench by police she saw that his feet and hands were bound with pieces of black cloth. A heavy iron was also strapped to his neck with another piece of black cloth.
His body also bore scorch marks, appearing as though his assailant(s) had attempted to burn it. There was also a cut on his right hand and on his foot, relatives said. According to reports Ramawad was engaged in an argument with his 16-year-old wife, Kamie Koonchalama and he reportedly hit her.
He then left around 5 pm to catch fish at sea when a relative of his wife confronted him and an altercation ensued. The relative reportedly choked him until he fell to the ground in an unconscious state. The dead man's attacker was then said to have used a stick to deal him the fatal blow to the back of his head. A police source said Ramawad bled profusely and appeared to have died on the spot.
Indira said the following day the wife's relatives told her that her son was missing and a report was made to the police. On January 8 police received information that the body was buried in a shallow grave. They said they searched the entire area thoroughly and came up empty-handed until yesterday.
The source said the relative reportedly admitted to having committed the act but stated that another relative buried the body on the beach. But a close relative of the men had told police that they mentioned that they tied a piece of iron to the body and anchored it in the river. The couple who were married during last year have a two-month-old baby. (Shabna Ullah)
January 10, 2007
Man jailed for having tool used for smoking cocaine
Magistrate Krishendat Persaud sentenced a man to one year's imprisonment after he admitted to being in possession of a utensil used for smoking cocaine. According to the Number 51 Court report, Sadeek Mohamed, 34, a labourer of Number 79 Village, Corriverton, was on December 29, 2006, found with the utensil.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Michael Grant, told the court that the police were on a patrol when they observed Mohamed acting in a suspicious manner. He was arrested and charged with the offence. (Stabroek News)
January 8, 2007
Pirates strike again
Five more fishermen robbed on Corentyne
Pirates struck again on Saturday afternoon robbing five fishermen of their engines and other items on the Corentyne Coast and then leaving them to drift to shore yesterday morning. According to the police, on Saturday afternoon Motilall Singh, a fisherman from Success, East Coast Demerara, and a crew of five men went out to fish.
The men were just about four miles off the Albion foreshore at 2:30 pm when a blue and red boat sped up and four armed men stuck them up. The men who carried three long guns and a cutlass assaulted the fishermen before relieving them of two 48 HP Yamaha engines, 14 cartons of cigarettes, groceries and clothing.
They then sped away leaving the fishermen to drift on the water. It was only yesterday at 3:30 am that they were able to make it back to shore and make a report at the Whim police station. The police are continuing investigations.
There has been a rise in hijackings on the river in recent days. On Thursday eighteen fishermen, one from the Corentyne, and the others from the East Coast Demerara were terrorized and robbed in four separate boats by pirates near the Corentyne River.
The first robbery is said to have taken place just off the shore at Number 43 Village and owner/captain of the boat, William Busgith, 51, recounted the horror to this newspaper. He was robbed of his 40-ft boat valued at $600,000, one 40 HP Yamaha engine worth $750,000, a 250-pound nylon seine valued $250,000, a quantity of gasoline, foodstuff, a stove and three wristwatches.
Fishermen from three other boats were also robbed of the same items and the bandits also carted off clothing and cell phones from the East Coast fishers. Busgith said he and two workers were heading out to sea around 8:30 am when four masked gunmen abandoned their boat and jumped into his boat and fired several shots in the air.
He recalled that he and the two workers ran into the cabin in an attempt to hide but the bandits followed them and beat them with a hammer they found in his boat. They then tied their hands and feet and also wrapped their heads in three canvas bags. They continued their attack on other fishermen using Busgith's boat. He said the bandits robbed two other boats in the vicinity of Bush Lot and Albion and ordered the occupants into his craft.
They then proceeded to the mouth of the Berbice River where the last boat, belonging to fishermen from the East Coast, was robbed around 7 pm. The pirates dumped all of the fishermen into the East Coast boat, untied them and escaped in Busgith's boat. A few hours after, the boat they were in drifted close to the shore and though they did not know the area well, 10 of the fishermen decided to wade out of the water in search of help. They returned in another boat about 6:30 in the morning for Busgith and the seven others who were left behind.
Busgith told Stabroek News yesterday that many of the fishermen have decided to launch their own search for the engines since after reporting the matter none of the perpetrators has been caught or any of their engines recovered by the police.
Fishermen have argued in the past that the GDF coast guard which has received a number of craft over the years should be doing more frequent patrols particularly during periods when the pirates increase their activity. The problem was also recently discussed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. (Keisha McCammon/Stabroek News)
January 7, 2007
Gunmen hold up Balwant Singh's clinic
Rob doctor, tie up staff
Dr Balwant Singh's Clinic in Camp Street after the robbery.
Two gunmen barged into a doctor's office on Camp Street just as he was finishing up his clinic yesterday and robbed him of money and other items. Reports are that the men had an accomplice posing as a patient and shortly after entering Dr Balwant Singh's clinic they sprung into action.
Armed with high-powered weapons the two men confronted the staff and forced them to the back of the clinic. Dr Singh who was with a patient at the time heard the commotion and went to investigate. The doctor walked right into the gunmen, according to reports, and was ordered back into his office. There, the men told him to lie flat and stripped him of his wallet, cellular phone and other valuables.
Stabroek News spoke with two staff members who said they were ordered into a room by the men. The men used duct tape to bind them, while two other employees were locked in a room. They were all traumatised.
It is not clear what happened to the patient, but no one was harmed. The men fired one shot, apparently meant as a warning to the staff members not to try anything. "I was afraid but I just could not believe what was happening more than anything else," one staff member commented.
After the men were through with the doctor they left the premises. Neighbours who were home at the time said they heard unusual sounds coming from the clinic, but when they looked over the front door was closed. The front door of the clinic is never closed when the doctor is seeing patients so one neighbour said he thought it suspicious. However he did not immediately check it out.
The police arrived on the scene shortly after and searched the area but came up empty. Late yesterday the doctor's wallet was said to have been recovered. Stabroek News attempted to speak with Dr Singh but was unsuccessful. (Stabroek News/Photo: Aubrey Crawford)
Fourth man charged with 'Turbo' murder
A fourth man, who was allegedly part of a group of men, who stood in front of another man in a taxi in Albouystown and riddled him with bullets five years ago, was on Wednesday charged with the murder. Rondell Edwards of 317 West Ruimveldt was not required to plead to the murder charge before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan. He is accused of killing Richard Allison on August 28 2001.
According to reports, Allison also known as 'Turbo' was shot dead in the early morning hours at James Street, Albouystown after boarding a car in front of Demico House on Croal Street. Four men are believed to have followed Allison and carried out the attack which was believed to have stemmed from an alleged robbery committed on another man in the area.
In 2001, Allison's relatives had told Stabroek News that Allison lived by the sword and died by the sword. A cousin of the dead man had told this newspaper that he spent a year in jail in Cayenne, French Guiana for robbery and had been deported to Guyana.
Allison, the cousin said, had heard that the man who was involved in the robbery with him had returned to the country and he decided he wanted his share. He confronted the man and they had an altercation.
On the day of Allison's death, a woman recalled, six armed men burst into the home where he was staying in search of him. They then left and were headed for a cousin's home when they saw Allison in a taxi; they blocked his path and when he came out of the vehicle they shot him several times. He died before receiving medical attention.
Investigations were launched and three men were charged with the offence back in 2003. Edwards was arrested recently. (Stabroek News)
January 6, 2007
Cocaine overboard!
The cocaine for the big dump
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) yesterday dumped 67.6 kilogrammes of cocaine with a street value of US$1.69M (G$338M) into the Atlantic Ocean, some 15 miles offshore Guyana.
The cocaine dumped was seized in cases already concluded in the Magistrates Courts and it is understood that the remainder of the cocaine seized by CANU over the years will be disposed of when those cases are completed.
Senior Supervisor at CANU, Mr. Dennis Mahase told reporters accompanying the heavily armed team of CANU officers on the dumping exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, that field tests were done to ascertain the authenticity of the cocaine before it was dumped.
The cocaine destroyed was found by CANU officers over a three year period at various ports and transit points across Guyana, especially at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, and the wharves.
The cocaine was ingeniously concealed in a variety of ways and means, including in cabbage, rum, letters, footwear, false-bottoms on luggage, cosmetics and creams, bicycle grease, packets of ‘coffee’ and pellets swallowed by drug mules. Two bottles of rum – one XM 10 Year Old and El Dorado 15 Year Old – contained liquid cocaine and these were also destroyed.
Mahase said CANU has been and will continue to stage a committed and intense battle against the narco-trade and drug trafficking scourge plaguing Guyana and eating away at the very fabric of the Guyanese society.
Alluding to the many inroads and successes by CANU over the years in the battle against the drug scourge, he and his colleagues expressed disappointment that many of these drug busts go unnoticed and unheralded – sometimes by the media and most times by those in authority.
Citing the constant dangers that officers face daily on the job, the CANU official appealed to the relevant authorities to show more appreciation for the hard and committed work by the officers in extremely dangerous situations. He said this appreciation can best be given in a tangible way, especially if it is in the form of an increase in salary or a financial incentive.
However, Mahase remained adamant that he and other officers from CANU will continue to work even harder to stretch the long arms of the law in the fight against narco-trafficking in Guyana. Established in 1995 in a bid to step up the fight against narco-trafficking, CANU has developed a good working relationship with the Guyana Police Force, and other regional and international anti-narcotic agencies.
Each year officers from CANU undergo intense training in narcotic investigations. They benefit from training organised by the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Centre (REDTRACK) in Jamaica, and in Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Brazil. The training includes basic and advanced narco-training and crime analysis.
DUMPING OPERATION
For the dump
The dumping operation began early yesterday morning when CANU officials showed members of the media the cocaine to be destroyed in the Atlantic Ocean. The illegal drug, concealed in various forms and paraphernalia, was placed in five bags.
Bag number one contained 15.7 kilogrammes of cocaine, bag two had 13.7 kilogrammes, bag number three contained 17.2 kilogrammes, bag four 13.4 kilogrammes and bag five 7.6 kilogrammes of cocaine.
The cocaine was then transferred from the CANU office on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown to the old Transport Wharf in Kingston from where the team of CANU officers, accompanied by six media personnel, proceeded to sea on board a relatively large local marine vessel.
The serious and rigorous exercise lasted a few hours, by which time the entire media team was on an unintentional ‘high’ - due to the inhalation of the cocaine powder in the air as the packets in which they were concealed were opened by the CANU ranks.
By the time the exercise was completed, even some of the CANU officers were on a high, one of whom was forced to lie on the floor of the vessel to take a ‘nap’. Included in the cocaine dumped yesterday were the more than 10 kilogrammes unearthed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on August 18 last year, stuffed in cabbages.
The cocaine, in pellets, was discovered in the cabbages a woman was taking with her as she was about to board a flight to Canada. Over the years smugglers have used innovative ways to ship illegal drugs out of the country with some resorting to rum, timber and coconuts.
The last time CANU dumped cocaine in the Atlantic Ocean was on November 17, 2004. On that occasion, 59 kilogrammes of cocaine and 600 grammes of heroin were dumped into the Atlantic Ocean, some 18-1/2 miles offshore Guyana. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 5, 2007
March 5 trial for Swiss House's Razac, Lynch
Farouk Razac
The trial of Swiss House Cambio boss Farouk Razac and his wife Carolan Lynch, who were charged with allegedly having a gun and ammunition at their home is set for March 5.
Razac and Lynch will appear before Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court. Statements were yesterday presented by the police who are ready to proceed with the trial almost two months after they were charged. Four witnesses are expected to be called and the trial is expected to continue on March 8 and conclude on March 9.
On December 15 when the couple appeared before Magistrate Gilhuys the charges were substituted by summary ones after Police Prosecutor Deneashwar Nauth, acting on instructions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked that the charges proceed summarily against them. The charges were then re-read to them and they pleaded not guilty.
Carolan Lynch
The couple was first indicted and was not required to plead. A person found guilty of a firearm offence on an indictable charge faces a jail term of not less than seven years while taken summarily a conviction could result in a sentence of not less than one year and not more than three years imprisonment.
It is alleged that on November 10 at Ireng Avenue, Bel Air Park, Razac and Lynch had in their possession 120 9mm rounds of ammunition, one Beretta automatic pistol and four 9mm magazines, being components and parts of a firearm, without lawful authority.
When Razac first appeared to answer to the charges at Court 2, Magistrate Gilhuys granted bail in the sum of $1M. Lynch, who appeared one day later before Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle, was refused bail but was later granted $500,000 bail in the High Court the following day.
On November 10 the police had conducted early morning raids on a number of locations in Georgetown, resulting in the discovery of a quantity of arms, ammunition and other items. Articles were found in Rhonda Gomes' North Ruimveldt home and she was subsequently arrested. Police then swooped on Razac's residence where he and Lynch were arrested. (Stabroek News)
Judge in Roger Khan case ill
The much-anticipated bail hearing for controversial Guyanese businessman, Shaheed `Roger’ Khan, in New York, suffered a setback yesterday with the illness of Justice Dora Lizzette Irizary, presiding at the U.S. Eastern District Court on Tillary Street in downtown Brooklyn.
Khan, alias `Short Man’, is charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.
Reports out of New York said Khan’s defence team, which is seeking to have him released on bail and has reportedly offered a hefty US$3M bail package in real estate and some 10 guarantors to sign a bond, and the prosecution which is vigorously opposing on the grounds that he is a “flight risk” having fled from the U.S. to avoid prosecution in 1994, appeared all set to present their arguments yesterday.
On hand too were a full representation of Guyanese-based media operatives and close relatives and friends of Khan but they will all now have to wait until January 16, the next date set for the hearing. At his last court appearance on December 6 last year before Justice Irizary, Khan’s defence team of attorneys, Robert Simmels and Miami-based John Bergendahl, failed in their bid to secure bail for him, with the judge deeming him a flight risk.
The defence had on that occasion, too, sought the court’s approval to have three U.S. officials, DEA Agent Gary Tuggle, and Special Agent Jason Molina of the Department of Homeland Security and Michael Thomas, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, produced in court as witnesses to testify as to how Khan arrived in the U.S. But the judge would have none of that saying she did not see the presence of the officials as relevant.
One line of the prosecution’s argument against bail for Khan is that on January 6, 1992, he was convicted in Montgomery County, Maryland, for break and enter and received an 18-month sentence and 36 months of probation. But while on probation, Khan again ran foul of the law and was arrested in Burlington, Vermont, with receiving and possessing firearms and was indicted and released on bail in November 1993.
Khan, however, reneged on the promises of his pre-trial release and fled the U.S. and returned to Guyana in 1994 to avoid prosecution, with an outstanding warrant for his arrest for violating those conditions still in effect in Maryland. Sources out of New York have told the Guyana Chronicle that the U.S. Government, in seeking to build a strong case against Khan, has requested the assistance of Suriname.
Khan was held there along with three of his alleged Guyanese bodyguards, Sean Belfield, Paul Rodrigues and Lloyd Roberts when he fled Guyana, following the posting of a bulletin for him to present himself for questioning by law enforcement officials here.
Khan, the other three Guyanese and five Surinamese were held in what Surinamese police said was the result of a huge drug bust involving some 213 kilos of cocaine on June 15, 2006. The controversial businessmen and his bodyguards, who the Surinamese authorities at first claimed were part of a criminal organisation, were, however, all freed.
Khan was deported from Suriname on June 29, 2006 and placed on a flight to Trinidad from where he was nabbed and taken to the U.S.
Rodrigues, Belfield and Roberts, having spent more than five months under harsh conditions in separate jails in the former Dutch country and without bail, were deported to Guyana by way of the Corentyne River on November 22, 2006. They were subsequently placed before the courts here and each fined $20,000 for illegal departure. (Guyana Cronicle)
Ex-cop charged with sexual assault of three-year-olds
An ex-policeman, charged with sexually violating two three-year-old girls, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday. Junior Rodrigues, of Lot 9 La Grange Old Road, West Bank Demerara, is alleged to have committed the indictable carnal knowledge offence between July 1 and 31, 2005.
He was granted $150,000 bail and the case has been transferred to Wales Court, also on West Bank Demerara, for January 11. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 3, 2007
$8M reward for info on Sash Sawh killers
"Sonny" Rondell Rawlins called “Fineman”
The Police yesterday announced a $14M reward for information leading to the arrest of several criminals, four of whom are wanted for the brutal slaying last year of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh. A wanted bulletin was issued for:
** Rondell Rawlins called “Fineman” of Agricola and Buxton
** Orlando Andrews called “Biscuit” or “Jeffrey” of Buxton
** David Zammett called David Leander or “Bullet” of Buxton, and
** Richard Daniels called “Chucky” of Agricola.
The Police said these men are wanted for questioning in relation to the investigation of the murder of Minister Sawh and other murders and serious offences. The Police said a $2M reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of each of the four wanted men. Minister Sawh was brutally gunned down in the early morning of April 22 last year, along with his brother and sister, and a security guard.
Masked gunmen dressed in military fatigues invaded the 50-year-old minister's home at Earl's Court, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara, killing the minister, his brother Rajpat Sawh, 62; and his sister Pulmatie Persaud called 'Julie', 54, who were visiting from Canada.
The minister's security guard, Curtis Robertson, 38, of Leopold and Cross streets and his dog were shot and killed at the front of his yard.
Three other persons were also injured: Omprakash Sawh, 53, another brother of the minister also a resident of Canada; and security guards Albert Mangra, 59, of Better Hope, ECD and Aga Khan, 53, of Lusignan West, ECD. The Police yesterday also issued wanted bulletins for the following persons who are known only by their call names:
‘Cash’ of Buxton, ‘Not Nice’ of Buxton and 'Sonny’ of Agricola. The Police are also offering a $2M reward for each suspect for information leading to their arrest.
Anyone who may have information leading to their arrest is asked to contact the Police at Force Headquarters through phone numbers 225-6411, 226-2487 or 226-2488; or CID Headquarters through 225-3650, 226-1326, 225-8196, 226-9978, 225-2227, or 226-7569; or Impact Base on phone numbers 225-2317 or 227-4065 or the nearest police station. (Guyana Cronicle)
Crime rate in Suriname drops 19 percent
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: According to police statistics, the crime rate in Suriname has dropped by 19 percent in 2006. Nationwide 17,317 felonies were committed in comparison to 21,605 crimes in 2005, Chief of Police, Delano Braam, disclosed at the year-end meeting of the Suriname Police Force. He further noted that reported brutal crimes dropped from 2,146 cases to 1,774 incidents in 2006.
Up to the third quarter of 2006, police have successfully investigated and closed 8,533 criminal offences and submitted dossiers to the Office of the Public Prosecutor for prosecution. In total 2,475 suspects were detained in comparison to 2,143 arrests in 2005.
“In the fight against organised crime severe blows have been dealt to criminal organisations; we have succeeded in dismantling eight criminal gangs, five more than the year before,” said police commissioner Braam.
As the most spectacular success, he mentioned the capturing of wanted Guyanese fugitive businessman Shaheed Roger Khan and his three bodyguards and seizure of over 200 kilos of cocaine in June. Khan was subsequently expelled and, en route to his native Guyana, arrested by US drug enforcement officials in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, the number of murders in Suriname has increased. The police chief noted that, of the 23 murders that were committed last year, 20 were solved. In an interview with CMC police spokesman, under-inspector Humphrey Naarden stated that in 2005 ten persons were murdered, while eight of these killings were solved.
In addressing the police force, Commissioner Braam further disclosed that, during the past year, 615 kilos of cocaine, 149 kilos marijuana and 13 kilos hash were confiscated. In relation to drug-related crimes a total of 734 suspects, 607 males and 127 females, were arrested.
Both Commissioner Braam and Justice Minister, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, rejected rumours that the Police Chief will be replaced. “Why change a leadership that is doing a great job? Mr Braam is Chief of Police and he will continue to be chief of the police force,” said the minister.
Santokhi warned that allegations are being circulated by individuals involved in criminal activities whose interest are being harmed by police actions. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)
Suriname records fewer fireworks incidents
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname have recorded a significant drop in fireworks incidents resulting in injuries. Officials at the emergency room of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo reports a total of 34 injuries. Up to January 4, 2006, 75 persons were injured.
It is said that the aggressive public education campaign launched by the Fire Department has contributed to the decrease. According to Fire Department’s spokesman, Guno Cooman, the shorter period in which shops were allowed to sell fireworks might also have resulted in fewer victims.
Cooman further informed that the inspections of police and the Fire Department in stores were also increased to prevent them selling illegal items and to minors. Since 2005 several very popular but extremely dangerous kinds of fireworks are banned. Early 2006 the Ministry of Justice and Police established a committee to regulate the import, distribution and sale of fireworks.
The most severe injuries recorded over the past days were amputations of fingers, while some victims had to seek treatment of plastic surgeons or oculists. Several injured were treated for burns. The oldest victim was a 37-year old man whose fingers were amputated, while the youngest victim ,a one-year old child, was treated for burns.
Traditionally, New Years Eve in Suriname is celebrated with a lot of spectacular fireworks and firecrackers by individuals, households and the business community. Suriname is becoming more and more famous as a tourist destination at the end of the year. Especially for the fireworks rally, the so-called pagarra-estafette, on December 31 in downtown Paramaribo where, attended by thousands, stores and other businesses light their firecrackers in sequence, colouring the streets red with the remains for days.
“I have never seen this before. In St Lucia you could watch fireworks only when the big hotels do that,” said St Lucian native Christine Joseph living for the past two years in Suriname. “This is not common in St Lucia. Households back home and individuals don’t burst fireworks as you Surinamese people. I’ve never witnessed that before,” she added.
In 2006, six companies imported 29 containers with fireworks to a value of US$666,000. In 2005, some 88 containers were imported. According to statistics, Suriname is the largest fireworks consumer on the South American continent, with spending an average of US$4 per capita each year. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)
Accused baby kidnapper remanded
Marcel La Cruz
Twenty-five-year-old Marcel La Cruz, of Lot 12 Supply, East Bank Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable offence, particulars of which said, last December 28, she took away the infant with intent to deprive the mother of it.
Defence Counsel Sunny Sarwan, who made an unsuccessful bail application for the mother of two, said she was visiting the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where the 13-year-old, who is herself a child, had given birth and could not help herself but asked for assistance.
The lawyer said La Cruz was nice enough to give the teenager her address and after the latter contacted her, they went out together. Sarwan said the accused gave the teen money to buy things for herself and the baby and the latter gave her the baby to hold while she went to make the purchases.
However, he claimed, the teen did not return to La Cruz who went to her home to give back the child but took it to her home after not finding the mother. “Would it have been wise to leave the child on the roadside?” the lawyer enquired, stating that humanity caused La Cruz to be where she is now. Sarwan said La Cruz has two minor children of her own and it would have been a burden for her to take on additional responsibilities.
The girl had her address and should have gone to the home of La Cruz or tried other means to get in touch instead of going to the Police, counsel argued. But Police Inspector Lloyd Thomas, prosecuting, who objected to pre-trial liberty for La Cruz, maintained that her intention was to steal the baby.
The Prosecutor said she befriended the young mother, took her to do some shopping and invited her to take a photograph of the infant but disappeared after the former had done the purchasing for which she gave her cash.
Thomas said the child was found at the home of the woman who ought to have gone to the nearest Police station if she did not see the baby’s mother again. He contended it is not a case where the accused was honest. La Cruz has been remanded to prison until January 29.
Thirteen-year-old Shevonne Greene, of North Sophia, raised the alarm on the day she alleged that her baby had been stolen from her, in Stabroek Market Square, also in Georgetown, after she said asked La Cruz to hold it as she was experiencing difficulty disembarking a mini-bus following her complicated delivery. (Guyana Cronicle)
January 01, 2007
Year closes with several high-profile murders still unsolved
The year has come to an end, but the police are still to bring closure to a number of sensational murders including those of Talk Show host, Ronald Waddell and building contractor Gazz Sheermohamed.
The force is also yet to find the killers of architect and cycling coach, Maximillian Perreira and his reputed wife Marlis Archer who were gunned down outside their Duncan Street, Campbellville home in November.
Former Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira had expressed confidence in the police's ability to capture Waddell's killers, but to date no one has been charged.
Waddell's brother, Ovid Smith told this newspaper recently that he was not surprised that his brother's murderers were still on the run. Smith said the police were not making any serious efforts to find the killers, adding that they had leads to follow but never did. Smith said he believed Waddell's killers were from a notorious criminal gang and were paid executioners.
It was around 8 pm on January 30 while Waddell was in his car on the bridge of his Subryanville home that the unknown gunmen pounced. According to reports, three men exited a dark-coloured vehicle and used long, rapid-fire guns. Residents of the area reported seeing flashes of light, which indicated that sophisticated tracer bullets were used. Waddell was hit by thirteen bullets, which connected to his head and other parts of his body.
The police had initially arrested freed murder accused, Shawn Hinds and two siblings of dead 'hitman' Axel Williams, but all three men were later released. A city-based killing squad had also been reportedly linked to the execution and the police had said that they were exploring that lead.
There had been speculation about a tit-for-tat reaction from supporters of the talk show host which did not materialise. On the contrary, Waddell's relatives and supporters have remained mostly silent since his death. Smith said this was because they were living in a dangerous society and did not want to raise their voices as they are afraid of being killed. Smith added that his brother was fighting for justice and he knew that by doing so he would have died so he was prepared for it.
Waddell's execution was followed by the brutal assault on eight people by a large gang of heavily-armed gunmen at Agricola, East Bank Demerara on the night of February 26. Although police have linked the killings to the Buxton criminal gang, they have not charged anyone. The gunmen killed three security guards attached to the MMC Security Service: Sheldon Smartt, Cedric Dummett and Loris Semple; Hannah Cameron and her reputed husband David Brummel and Cameron's grandson Fenton Rudder; Assistant Town Clerk, Lavern Scott-Garraway all of Agricola and Cecil Duncan of Kitty.
Police had assembled a team of detectives to investigate the slaughter, but apart from reporting that the Buxton gang had committed the act and that wanted man, Rondel Rawlins called 'Fineman' was behind the attack there has been no other development in this probe.
Meanwhile, close relatives of Perreira recently told this newspaper that the dead man did not get along well with some persons close to him and they were suspicious that jealousy and greed might have been the motives for the murders. They said too that the couple's killing was done by contract. Perreira had lived in London before remigrating to Guyana. He had ended his marriage with his first wife before becoming involved with Archer.
Perreira, according to relatives, had written to his lawyer in England on February 27, 2005 pointing out that a life insurance policy had been made out on him without his knowledge by a relative. He said in the letter, a copy of which was made available to this newspaper: "What makes me totally worried is that over a year or so ago a Guyanese agent in America was insuring Guyanese unknown to themselves, who were returning to Guyana for a visit. Those people were murdered here…."
Pereira further stated in his letter that the agent in the US had been caught and sentenced appropriately. He had also said that a relative, who he named, might be betting on his life hoping that he would catch a stray bullet or die from malaria as three of his friends died of that illness over the last three years.
Relatives had told this newspaper that they disclosed some of this information to local police and were calling on the investigators to make contact with Scotland Yard in England so that the officers could probe whether greed and jealousy were involved. Police however have not made any steps to contact Scotland Yard, but one of the investigators said that they were still working on the case and were looking for a man they want to question.
Reports were that Pereira, 63, and Archer, 43, were in their motor vehicle parked on their bridge. As they were about to disembark, the suspect approached on foot and fired several times at them, after which he got on a motorcycle ridden by an accomplice and escaped. The wounded couple was taken to the Georgetown Hospital where Archer was pronounced dead on arrival. Pereira, who was in a critical condition, received urgent medical attention, but died the next day.
Police have not arrested anyone in the killings, although investigators are seeking a man they would like to question. Police are also still battling to find the person/s who gunned down one of Guyana's master builders, Gazz Sheermohamed.
Sheermohamed was gunned down on the evening of April 6 in the compound of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School. To date neither the police nor the contractor's relatives have been able to shed any light on what might have been the motive for his killing. One of the reports police had received was that the contractor and a close associate were having problems over a property and payment of money.
Sheermohamed was the Managing Director of SA. Nabi and Sons Ltd and had built the new Caricom Secretariat building at Turkeyen. It is suspected that paid gunmen executed the man. Sheermohamed was hit by at least three bullets while sitting in his double-cab Toyota pick-up, PHH 6635, in the compound of the North Georgetown school. His killer/s did not take the money he had with him at the time. The school was in the process of being renovated by the company. Reports had indicated that a car drove into the compound behind Sheermohamed's vehicle as he was sitting in the front seat.
It passed his vehicle then turned around. One man exited the car, fired five shots at Sheermohamed then jumped back into the car, which sped away. The murders of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, two of his siblings and a security guard have also not yielded satisfactory answers. One man was charged with the murders two weeks ago, around nine months after they occurred. Several other men are still said to be wanted in connection with this case. (Stabroek News)
Prominent citizen warns of 'baby phantoms'
After relative beaten outside nightclub
A prominent citizen is calling on members of the Guyana Police Force to look into the number of firearm licences that are handed to the young children of rich businesspeople here who he described as `baby phantoms'.
His warning came after one of his close relatives was beaten outside a city nightclub on Friday by members of this group during which a gun was believed to have been used. The phantom reference pertains to a shadowy group of gunmen who participated in fighting criminals and are suspected in a string of murders and bloody attacks.
The prominent citizen who wishes to remain anonymous told Stabroek News yesterday that several rival groups are developing and the police force needs to put a stop to them urgently. He stated that these groups gain popularity by beating up people and he is pleading with the parents of these individuals to take the situation into their own hands since in the New Year things could get out of hand.
The man said that these gang members are in their late teens. "This is tragedy for this country and there must be some security at these night spots". He is of the opinion that these young men believe that because they have money they can do anything and get away with it. The man said that these parents are just too busy making money or running from the police.
He regards this developing situation as a serious one. "We have to defuse it now before it gets bigger. If they become more organized it will become Wild West here. I want to see these kids turned around. The victim, who is nineteen-year-old, stated that the whole incident started because he was chatting with a girl in the nightclub. This caused the girl and her boyfriend who was also in the club to start quarrelling and later a physical confrontation developed between them.
The young man who said he is not afraid of members of the gang said that he parted the fight and was later taken outside. While talking to some friends outside, one of the gang members who had problems with him in the past came up to him, pulled a shiny object from his pocket and hit him across the ear. The teenager said that he does not know for certain whether the object, which fitted into the palm of the attacker's hand, was a gun.
From this point on others pounced on him and started to beat him up. When one of his friends tried to help, the group turned on him too. Realizing that this was not a battle that could be won, the two young men managed to get away and jump into their vehicle. The young man told this newspaper that the group was following them but they managed to escape. He said that he believes that there could be a recurrence
A report has since been made at the Alberttown Police Station but ranks have not contacted the young man or his relatives. (Stabroek News)