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March 31, 2008
 

Relatives concerned about safety of executed man’s daughter

   Victim had been told to go to Laing Avenue

George Barton

As fear continues to grip 18-year-old Anika Barton who narrowly escaped death just over a week ago when her father was gunned down on Laing Avenue, her relatives say that three recent developments clearly show that her life is in danger.

The teen is now out of hospital after taking her own discharge and her relatives have vowed to protect her at all costs while voicing their concerns over the police’s apparent non-interest in the matter.

To them this case seems as if it would go down in Guyana’s crime pages as unsolved and they issued pleas to the law enforcement authorities to act swiftly on the information they have so that those responsible could be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Reports are that two Thursday nights ago, George Barton received a telephone call in the company of his daughter to go to Laing Avenue. As the two made their way through the street just after 8 pm, a car with four men pulled up alongside them. One of the occupants shouted `B’ referring to George before opening fire on him. He was shot in his back, neck and legs.

The car drove up a little and turned around. The gunmen now armed with a much smaller gun fired several rounds at the teen hitting her trice in the knee and once in the buttocks. Reports are that seconds before she was shot, one of the occupants told the gunman that she had to be killed too. Stabroek News was told that there has been no arrest although the police have been provided with information. Police could not be reached on Saturday for a comment on the status of their investigation.

When Stabroek News saw Anika on Saturday she was walking with a slight limp and her right knee which has entry and exit gunshot wounds was bandaged. With a sad expression on her face, she told this newspaper that the knee still pains a bit. Since taking her own discharge from the Georgetown Hospital on Sunday, the knee has not been looked at. She told this newspaper that she is very afraid and still has nightmares filled with the sound of gunshots.

Her relatives who were with her at the time of the interview said that she will be kept indoors and they will take their own security measures to ensure that she is protected.

Strange happenings

Relating to this newspaper just how serious the situation is, relatives said there had been three incidents which were suspicious. A relative who did not want to be identified said that around 4 last Sunday morning a strange man called the home and said that Anika should have died because “she cut up de running because the plan wasn’t that”, adding that the caller promptly ended the call before she could respond.

The woman said that the second case occurred at the Georgetown Hospital around 1 pm (when visiting hours were over) on Sunday as well when a strange man went to them asking for directions to the female malaria ward. During this time, a uniformed officer who was assigned to protect the teen was sitting with them.

The woman told this newspaper that this could have all been avoided had the police not placed a uniformed rank there, as it clearly identified her to members of the public. She explained that after the shooting, a plain clothes policewoman was at the hospital watching over the girl but that changed on Sunday morning, when a uniformed officer was put there.

The woman recounted that she immediately became fearful and called the Brickdam police station where she demanded that the uniformed officer be moved and replaced with a plain clothes rank. She said that the officer on the other end consented to this and assured her that the change will be made.

However before the switch could occur the strange man visited. The woman said the episode rattled her because the man was in the area after visiting hours, clearly showing that the security at the front of the building did not stop him. Also she questioned why the man went directly to her and not to the nurse who would have been able to assist him.

She also told this newspaper that after not getting help from her, the man could have gone to the nurse but instead he chose to leave, giving her the impression that he wasn’t really looking for the female malaria ward. The woman said too that she is very upset with the police because when someone called on their behalf about the uniformed rank, the officer at the station became annoyed and made statements that were uncalled for.

She stated that she was told that the officer said that George was a well known man and Anika “does deh bout de place” and so it did not matter whether there was a uniformed officer guarding her or not. The woman said that following the visit by the “strange man”, she immediately got worried and a decision was made to leave the hospital almost immediately. Then at George’s funeral which was held on Friday, a strange man took out Anika’s photograph without her permission.

Anika told this newspaper that the man came up to her but she didn’t pay him any attention. He subsequently took the photograph. Anika and her relative said that while they understood that it was a funeral and people were taking photographs, permission was sought before pictures were taken.

Speaking on the status of the police’s investigations, relatives said that the incident “is still fresh” and as such they should not have to be behind the police to do their work. “Is not like three months or six months pass so I ain’t suppose to be behind them. They suppose to do their thing… I fed up with the police cause they ain’t doing their wuk” a relative said. (Stabroek News)
 

March 29, 2008

   Army denies KN report that Buxton man was ex-soldier

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in a statement yesterday refuted a report in the Kaieteur News that Tyrone Pollard called `Theodoris’ who was shot dead in Buxton a week ago by members of the Joint Services, was an ex-soldier.

The statement read that the GDF “unequivocally refutes the allegation in an article captioned, `Police still testing weapons recovered from slain Buxtonian’, as published on page 6 in the Kaieteur News edition dated Thursday March 27. The inaccuracy inferred that Tyrone Pollard was an ex-soldier of the Force”. GDF said that a thorough examination of its records showed that the man was never enlisted or was associated in any way with the Force.

Pollard, a resident of Buxton Sideline Dam was shot and killed last Saturday morning in what the Joint Services said was an exchange of gunfire, although residents have given a different account of what transpired insisting that the man was not armed and that only one shot was fired.

A Joint Services statement released shortly after the incident said that Pollard who was wanted for questioning in relation to the 2005 murders of policeman Somdat Ramoutar and civilian Chandrika Persaud, was shot and killed at Eastville.

He was also wanted for questioning, the police said, in connection with the murder of Army Corporal Ivor Williams who was shot and killed during a confrontation between the Joint Services and a group of armed gunmen in the vicinity of Company Road, Railway Embankment, Buxton on January 23, 2008.

The police had further said that ranks of the Joint Services had been conducting a cordon and search operation on a house at Webster Avenue, South Buxton, when Pollard ran out of the building as they approached and discharged several rounds.

He then jumped into and crossed the Sideline Canal over to the Eastville Dam from where he again opened fire on the ranks. The ranks returned fire during which he was fatally shot, the statement had read. Police said that an unlicensed .32 revolver along with two spent shells and three live rounds which fell into the Sideline Canal were recovered by the Joint Services.

However, eyewitnesses had a different account of what transpired and said that the man was unarmed and wore flimsy clothes which would have revealed if he had been carrying a weapon. An eyewitness said she saw the man when he ran through her yard and headed for the trench, which he later leapt into. However when he reached the other side, he surrendered but was shot. (Stabroek News)

March 27, 2008

U.S. to re-look setting up of permanent DEA office here

   President Jagdeo hails ‘excellent’.....

.... existing bilateral cooperation between Guyana/U.S.

Top U.S. diplomat Thomas Shannon yesterday admitted that the United States has to “step up” cooperation with Guyana in the fight against drugs and illegal arms since the U.S. shares responsibility for the problems facing this country and other Caribbean nations.

Shannon acknowledged that the U.S. is the principal market for drugs trafficked out of Guyana, and said he was taking back for discussion to Washington D.C., another request by President Bharrat Jagdeo for the U.S. to have a permanent presence of its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) here.

He said, too, that the illegal arms used in the drug trade and other crimes, flows from the U.S. Shannon, who serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Affairs within the U.S Department of State, visited Guyana along with Commander of the U.S Army’s Southern Command, Admiral James Stavridis.

Admiral Stavridis held discussions yesterday with Army chief-of-staff Commodore Gary Best. In the absence of both sound data and more robust DEA involvement, the U.S. will not augment resources for investigation and interdiction in Guyana, the U.S government had stated in its 2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR).

Instead, the U.S. government said it will continue to channel future assistance to initiatives that demonstrate success in treating substance abusers. With Shannon’s visit and a promise to re-look the issue, the Guyanese head of state expressed optimism. “I hope it (DEA permanent presence here) materializes sometime soon,” President Jagdeo said at a press conference he shared with Shannon at the Presidential Complex, New Garden Street, Georgetown.

The 2008 INCSR pointed to “weak border controls and limited resources for law enforcement allow drug traffickers to move shipments via river, air, and land without meaningful resistance." The report pointed out Guyana as a transit country for cocaine, noting that “vast expanse of unpopulated forest and savannahs offers ample cover for drug traffickers and smugglers.” However, the report did point out successes, namely the 2007 seizure of 167 kilogrammes (kgs) of cocaine, representing a three-time increase over the previous year’s interdictions.

President Jagdeo said that drug trafficking was linked to the criminal environment and once again committed to doing “whatever” for “however long” to get those behind the two recent massacres which claimed 23 lives. Mr. Jagdeo said that some crimes can be reduced and prevented, such as by providing (skills) training and economic support for vulnerable communities “to keep young people away from the crutches of criminality”. But he said the recent crimes, “terrorism”, did not come out of poverty, but just to “spread fear into the society.”

“EXCELLENT COOPERATION”

Shannon and Stavridis’ visit were premised on the improvement of bilateral cooperation between Guyana and the U.S and President Jagdeo hailed the existing cooperation as “excellent.”

The President praised in particular two initiatives – President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reduction (PEPFAR) and the Threshold Program funding to help the government reduce its fiscal deficit by improving its ability to collect revenue and better manage its budget, and in helping to develop a more favourable environment for businesses.

PEPFAR was introduced to Guyana in 2004 and has so far dispersed over US$100M in varying programmes here, including helping 18 non-government organisations, head of PEPFAR here, Ms. Julia Roberts told the Chronicle yesterday.

Among the hallmarks of PEPFAR projects in Guyana is the construction of a US$5M multi-reference laboratory going up in the Georgetown Hospital compound. Another flagship project is the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Roberts added.

Mr. Jagdeo reiterated that PEPFAR was a “visionary” thinking on the part of President George Bush and said the programme is “making a huge difference here in Guyana.” Touching on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Threshold Programme, which is designed to assist countries that are on the “threshold” of eligibility for larger grant assistance known as “Compact”, President Jagdeo said Guyana was pleased to qualify because of meeting the 16 of the 17 indicators.

Guyana is currently benefiting from a two-year US$6.7M grant to improve its fiscal policy indicator to qualify for the larger grant assistance. The programme is designed to help countries meet three criteria: ruling justly, investing in people, and economic freedom to become eligible for a compact - a larger financial assistance programme of the MCC.

Specifically, the grant is helping the Government to implement the new Value Added Tax (VAT) system and develop ways to assist and educate taxpayers, while at the same time helping the government better plan and control spending. The grant will also help reduce the number of days and costs associated with starting a business by modernizing and streamlining the process to register businesses. President Jagdeo told the visiting U.S. diplomat that efforts to reduce Guyana’s fiscal deficit falls within the confines of the government’s rebuilding programme.

In an obvious reference to the Guyana Trade and Investment Support Services Project (GTIS), President Jagdeo thanked the U.S. government for helping to rebuild the private sector and make it the driving force for economic growth. He said government was “grateful” for the programme which helps to build capacity of various enterprises, including finding markets for produce, “in helping people directly.” (Neil Marks/
Guyana Cronicle)
 

March 20, 2008

Suriname gold smuggling trio out on $15M bail

   Fourth man out on further $5M

The three Guyanese men detained for questioning about 16 kilogrammes of smuggled gold recently confiscated by the authorities in Suriname, yesterday walked out of the precincts of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after paying a total of $15M bail.

The men - Isaac Sarjoo, 30, of Lot 90 Second Street, Alexander Village; Richard Sarjoo, 30, of Lot 81 Second Street, Alexander Village; and Roy Arjune, 34, of Lot 267 Success Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, were granted bail when they appeared before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle yesterday.

Another man, Albert Sarjoo, a 54-year-old cambio dealer of Lot 87 Second Street, Alexander Village, also appeared in the same court charged with conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor with Richard Sarjoo.

The first three defendants pleaded not guilty to a joint charge, which said on last March 3 at Moleson Creek, Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice, they exported a quantity of gold from Guyana, that is, 35 pounds of raw gold. The charge read to the fourth defendant said between December 1, 2007, and March 3, 2008, he conspired with Richard Sarjoo to export the said amount of raw gold.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Nigel Hughes represented the men, in association with Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan. Hughes said in a bail application that the charge read to the 54-year-old defendant is a minor one since it is conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor and not a felony. Hughes said this defendant has been a businessman for in excess of 40 years and his business, ‘A&N Sarjoo’ located at America Street, Georgetown, has been in establishment for over 20 years.

Hughes argued that it is not illegal for persons to export gold from Guyana but a percentage must be paid to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). At the end of the trial, Hughes said the only offence that will be left against the defendants is that they failed to pay the royalties to GGMC.

The lawyer further stated that the exhibits that would be presented for this case is in the custody of the Republic of Suriname who has forfeited that gold and will not be sending it back to Guyana. He said authorities from that Country have confirmed that. Hughes also stated that the men were not deported to Guyana but travelled back at their own expenses. He added that the men were not detained there and that no evidence is there of the existence of this gold. As such, he said the chance of success for the Prosecution is marginal.

Hughes further argued that persons appeared with similar offences in Court previously and was granted bail because these are classified as fiscal offences. He said the men has strong ties to the community and contributes significantly to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as both Isaac and Richard Sarjoo are licensed gold dealers/traders.

Hughes further argued that when the men were released in Suriname, if they did not want to face the authorities here, they would have stayed in that Country. Since they were not deported, he said, they could have also gone into hiding.

He said he wished to single out the oldest defendant for bail as he is a diabetic and suffers from chronic hypertension. Hughes argued that the man’s health is such that he would not be able to endure any form of incarceration. He also stated that this defendant never left the shores of Guyana.

Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, however objected to the grant of bail for all of the defendants because she said the investigation into this matter is not yet complete. She said the first three defendants paid a fine in Suriname and were subsequently sent back to Guyana. Griffith said the value of the gold is $96M.

Hughes responded that he was happy that the Prosecutor disclosed that they were already punished in that foreign country and that they came back voluntarily. He said the men spent six days in custody so far and, as such, Police would have had enough time to investigate the matter.

The lawyer said it is not as if the Government of Guyana lost $96M as they were only entitled to the taxes. The Magistrate released the defendants (the three sent back from Suriname and the elder Sarjoo) on $5M bail each and the matter was adjourned to April 11. Hughes then asked the Magistrate to consider a reduction in bail because he said it was 3 O’clock on the day after which there would be a six-day holiday. He said all the Banks would have been closed and there was no way for the men to obtain a manager’s cheque at that time.

After this application was turned down, Hughes asked if they could lodge ‘like surety’ instead of cash for the bail. This application was again turned down. According to a source, smuggling is viewed in Suriname as an ‘economic offence’ and persons caught, do not have to stand trial if they can pay a fine that is imposed by a Prosecutor. It was under this circumstance that the three men chose to pay the fine.

The source further stated that the men told the Suriname Police that they had bought the gold in Guyana and went there to sell since the price they would have gotten would have been much higher than what they would have gotten in their homeland. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

March 19, 2008

   DNA test may settle hotel owner mystery

Roselaine Hall

Local police are in contact with overseas agencies capable of conducting DNA testing so they could definitively pronounce on whether the corpse found on the highway last week is that of missing hotel owner Roselaine Hall.

Besides confirmation given by staff regarding the clothing found with the corpse wrapped in tarpaulin as those worn by Hall on the last day she was seen, only DNA testing could say for sure whether the remains are indeed Hall's. It is not known if dental records are available.

Police in a statement last Thursday said that among the remains found a few miles from Yarrowkabra on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway were a black brassiere, a pair of multi-coloured underwear, a pair of black denim pants and a white blouse with 'Solution S' printed on it.

A high ranking police source told Stabroek News yesterday that the police are also still to address in their minds the cause of death of the female and whether the remains are Hall's. A post-mortem examination conducted on the body yesterday was inconclusive.

This newspaper was told that the teeth still evident on the corpse were positively identified by witnesses to the post-mortem as those of Hall's but no other match was made. The dead woman's husband Romeo Rockerfeller told Stabroek News yesterday that he was awaiting word from the police regarding any updates on the situation.

The uncertainty as to whether the corpse is Hall's has also curtailed the involvement of the United States embassy in Georgetown. An official told this newspaper yesterday that they remained uncertain of the identity of the corpse but assured that the embassy was in constant contact with local authorities as well as Hall's mother in the US.

However the official said that once the embassy here is able to ascertain more information as regard the identity of the remains, and if it is indeed Hall's, then the relevant assistance would be made available to the family. Roselaine Hall went missing close to two months ago and was last seen in the company of her ex-husband Alex Barker, who was her chauffeur. Her current husband was reportedly out of the country when she disappeared.

Hall had apparently gone to her hair dresser and was supposed to have been going to visit a doctor because of difficulties she was having with her eyes. The woman then left with Barker, who later returned to the hotel that night and advised staff that she had made him her power of attorney, giving him control of the business while she went to Suriname.

Barker, staff told this newspaper, had started making changes at the hotel, hiring new staff and firing others under the pretext of being Hall's man-of-business while she was away. When two days passed staff got worried after not seeing or hearing from Hall, who also lived at the hotel, and subsequently made a missing person's report about her. Yesterday police confirmed that nothing has since been heard from Barker since the wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest. (Heppilena Ferguson/Stabroek News)
 

   'Big boat' pirates carried out Berbice River attack

Pirates last Thursday intercepted a fishing vessel moored in the Berbice River and robbed the four-member crew of their engine, water pump and valuables including money before beating them with a cutlass. The fishermen who were rescued several hours later by a passing boat are thanking the Almighty that they are alive but said that despite their fears they have to return to the waterways because that is their only means of earning a livelihood.

The boat was attacked around 8:30 am and the fishermen are clueless as to the name of the area they were in at the time. The matter was subsequently reported to the police but to date no one has been held or any of the stolen items recovered.

Captain of the Ronita One, Toney, told Stabroek News yesterday that around 8:30 am, a big boat, came up alongside them and two men jumped over. One was armed with a cutlass and the other a gun, Toney said adding that he and his crew were immediately ordered to lie flat in the boat. He said that one of the men then instructed them to take out their engine and he and another complied with the instruction. Under the watchful eyes of the men, his other two crew members assisted them to lift it into the pirates' boat.

As soon as the engine was in the other boat, the men were beaten about their bodies with a cutlass. While this assault did not warrant hospitalization, the men were left in intense pain. Toney said that they had been fishing in that area for sometime now and this is the first time they were attacked. He said that after the men left they drifted for a few hours before being rescued. "I am scared yes but that is my job. I got to do it because I got to look after my family", the man said, the fear evident in his voice as he spoke with this newspaper.

Deryck Chandan, like his captain, expressed his fear over last Thursday's incident but vowed to return to sea. Recalling what had occurred, he said that the men who had earlier robbed another fishing crew, approached their vessel asking for fish and fish glue and whether they had any navigation equipment. The man stated that they said no to all the questions and then the pirates just jumped on board and started beating them up.

He told this newspaper that after taking the equipment from the boat, the pirates robbed him of 200 Suriname dollars which is around $14, 000 Guyana currency and his wristwatch. He said that the money was given to him to take back for his neighbour. Chandan was badly beaten and still has numerous marks about his body.

Concerned over piracy

The owner of the vessel Niroajmie Kurmiah yesterday expressed her concerns over what she says is the escalating incidents of piracy. She is particularly concerned since this is not the first time that one of her vessels has been attacked. Kurmiah said that back in 2005, her boats were attacked and she lost three engines and then in 2006 she lost another engine.

The woman said that the bandits in this latest incident beat the captain and his crew mercilessly before making off with articles including a new Yamaha engine. She said it was bought during the latter part of last year and had only worked on three trips before the attack. Speaking on the earlier attacks on her vessels, the businesswoman said that reports were made but the culprits were never caught. She said in one instance one of the engines was found but nothing came out of that matter.

"I don't know why I am being targeted so. This is the seventh robbery in four years and I have suffered tremendously as a result of them", she said. Kurmiah told this newspaper that her vessels would go out to sea every two weeks and spend a few days. When this latest attack occurred, she said, the vessel had only been at sea for a few days. "I am fed up man. I don't know what to do. This thing will affect my business bad because I can't afford to buy an engine now. The stolen engine cost me about $776,000", the woman said with frustration evident in her voice.

Asked what she plans to do seeing that she has suffered so much all ready, the woman told this newspaper that she has no choice but to continue as this is the only work she knows and it is the only way that she knows how to support her family. The woman said that fishermen and captains will be meeting with the Minister of Agriculture today and she will attend so that she could raise her concerns.

She is hopeful that those in authority could put some sort of measure in place to tackle piracy. During the latter part of last year, dozens of fishing vessels were attacked and robbed by pirates. There were suspicions that some of the pirates were operating out of Suriname. (Zoisa Fraser/Stabroek News)
 

March 18, 2008

   Man remanded over murder of girlfriend

Stacy Ann Thomas

A 22-year-old man who allegedly stabbed his teenage girlfriend to death on Friday last was remanded on a murder charge when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Klans Daniels of 116-117 Cowan Street, Kingston was not required to plead to the capital offence, which was committed on March 14 at his brother's Cowan and Duke Street residence.

Daniels allegedly stabbed his girlfriend of more than one year, Stacy Ann Thomas repeatedly about the upper body.

Klans Daniels

Thomas also called "Black Girl" of Back Circle, West Ruimveldt was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival around 10 pm on Thursday night. The 18-year-old Thomas was last seen by her relatives when she left home around 8 am Thursday.

Daniels fled the scene of the crime and went to a relative's home in West Berbice but handed himself in at the Fort Wellington police station several hours later accompanied by a relative who is a supernumerary constable. Daniels was remanded to prison until April 4 when the matter continues at Court Six. (Stabroek News)
 

At Demerara Assizes…

Stepson killer to serve 15 years for manslaughter

Frederick Hinds

ifty-six-year-old Frederick Hinds, who inflicted 32 incised wounds with a cutlass on his stepson, Gavin Adams, 24, was yesterday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the manslaughter.

Justice Brassington Reynolds imposed the custodial penalty after the mixed Demerara Assizes jury disagreed on a murder verdict but found the convict guilty of the lesser count, in the proportion of 11 to one.

For the Prosecution, State Counsel Judy Latchman and Fabayo Azore led evidence that the prisoner was packing to leave the home of his reputed wife, Lilowatie Adams, on July 6, 2003, when he picked up a cutlass and inflicted chops on her son. Hinds had also turned the weapon on the woman and she suffered wounds about the face and body, causing him to be indicted, as well, for wounding her with intent.

Defence Counsel Compton Richardson contended that Hinds was defending himself from an attack and he laid emphasis on the different dates in the post mortem report. Before sentencing Hinds, the judge alluded to the nature of the act by the killer who exhibited a lack of trust in the family at whose home he lived for some time.

Justice Reynolds said he took into account the manner in which the prisoner dealt with his stepson and reputed wife, having looked at Hinds throughout the trial. (George Barclay/Guyana Cronicle)
 

March 17, 2008

Murder of `Fineman' sister

   No useful ballistic info likely - source

Marcyn King

One week after an unidentified gunman killed Marcyn King, the sister of the country's most wanted man, police are yet to conduct any ballistic test on two warheads recovered from her body. And a senior source at the police forensic unit said that there is a slim chance of the warheads recovered matching any in the unit's collection.

King, 36, was killed with a revolver. The spent shells of those weapons do not escape from the chamber after firing, only the warheads do, a police officer explained to this newspaper.

The officer said unlike the automatic weapons where there would be spent shells, with revolvers only the warheads are usually expelled after firing. King was laid to rest on Saturday and at her funeral service, friends, relatives and workmates begged for calm.

Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday the source at the police forensic laboratory said that tests on two warheads recovered from the shooting would be done sometime this week. The source noted that no spent shell was retrieved at the scene and of the two warheads recovered one was slightly damaged. The source added that the warheads are both of .38 calibre.

"We have the warhead but very few .38 warheads have been retrieved from crime scenes and bodies so it wouldn't be so easy to match," the source who asked not to be named said. In the past police were able to match spent shells and publish ballistics findings in less than two days. Asked what was taking them so long, the source said that because the forensic unit did not have many warheads of the calibre found in King's body they could not rapidly make a conclusion.

Stabroek News had been told that it is possible that the weapon which was used to end the woman's life was relatively 'clean' in that it was never used in the commission of any crime here. It is known that some of the gunmen operating here are hired killers and very often whenever they have a contract the hirer would provide them with the weapons. In addition, a detective close to the investigation told Stabroek News that from all indications King's killer/s might have been hired.

It is not the first time police have been unable to produce credible ballistics findings after certain major crimes. In 2006 when talk show host Ronald Waddell was gunned down police had recovered around 13 spent shells from ammunition used in AK-47 and M-70 rifles, but up to now there has been no published ballistics finding on those shells. Further, in November 2006 police had conducted a raid on a home connected to dead, Swiss House cambio boss, Farouk Razac in North Ruimveldt and recovered a quantity of arms and ammunition.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Henry Greene later said investigators had not found any evidence to link the weapons to any crime scene. Rhonda Gomes in whose home the articles, which included an AK-47, a large amount of ammunition, cocaine, two firearms and four grenades were found, pleaded guilty to the five charges. She was sentenced to four years in prison.

The inconsistency in the production of results on shells, especially in cases where so-called phantoms have been involved, has led to concerns that the force has been selective in its work.

There has been widespread condemnation of the killing of King with the main opposition, People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) saying it is a dangerous development. According to the PNCR, in a statement last week, the murder should serve as a warning to the government that it needs to protect the lives of relatives of persons on the police's wanted list.

King's brother, Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlins is wanted for a series of murders and robberies and he was blamed for the two recent massacres. The party said the King killing bore all the hallmarks of "a hired gun for a reprisal killing" adding that it was also concerned that such a killing could lead to reprisals.

"The party therefore believes that the security forces should redouble their efforts to prevent possible tit for tat retaliation killings which can only fuel the socially corrosive cycle of violence and further threaten the social fabric of the society." The PNCR said that for some time now it had been the party's contention that contract killers, pointing to the existence of phantom organisations, are still around.

The government has also condemned the attack. King, a mother of three sons, was shot and killed on her way home from work last Monday night. A brown car drove up beside her and a man got out and fired two shots which hit her in the chest. One bullet perforated her lung and damaged her liver and the other lodged in her back, a post-mortem examination revealed. (Stabroek News)
 

Fisherman lost at sea

   Crew in custody

Four members of a fishing crew are in police custody following the disappearance of another crewmember during a fishing trip. A statement from the police yesterday said that they are investigating a missing person report made on Saturday involving 34-year-old fisherman, Arnold Looknauth of South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara.

The statement said that initial investigations have revealed that last Wednesday, Looknauth left in a boat with four other men from the Better Hope Foreshore to go fishing. "It is reported that during the night of March 14, 2008, (last Friday) while at sea, he went to the rear of the boat to answer a call of nature and has not been seen since", the police said.

The other four members of the fishing crew are in police custody assisting with the investigations, the statement added. (Stabroek News)
 

March 16, 2008

   Marcyn King laid to rest

Marcyn King

Friends, relatives and workmates of Marcyn King gathered at the Lyken's Memorial Chapel yesterday to pay their final respects to her and offer sympathy to her family before her body was taken to Tempe, West Coast Berbice for funeral service followed by burial at nearby Brittania.

The ceremony at the chapel was simple and solemn, as relatives grieved silently, although tears could be seen coursing down the cheeks of some mourners. The chapel was packed, and following a few brief tributes everyone present was able to view the remains.

The woman's mother, Margaret Rawlins, was a dignified presence throughout it all, with her eyes filling with tears at intervals as she received hugs and words of solace from friends.

Some of the persons giving their tribute urged relatives to stay close to the Creator and commended them for not asking for revenge for King's killing. They quoted scriptures in which Christians were advised that vengeance belonged to the Lord. The statement had much resonance among those assembled for the ceremony.

Opposition Leader Robert Corbin was there to show his support for the grieving relatives and went to view the body. Former talk-show host Mark Benschop who had been accused of treason but was pardoned by President Jagdeo last year, as well as attorney-at-law Llewellyn John gave brief tributes at the ceremony.

Relatives carry the coffin bearing the body of Marcyn King yesterday. After viewing concluded the woman's coffin was draped with a throw of the Rastafarian colours, Ites, gold and green.

King, who was the mother of three sons, was shot and killed on her way home from work on Monday night. A brown car drove up beside her and a man got out and fired two shots which hit her in the chest.

John extended condolences to the deceased's relatives while Benschop, among other things, said it was unfortunate that this was the third woman to have been gunned down in recent years, the others being Buxtonian mother of nine, Donna Herod, who was killed in September last year, and Donna McKinnon, who was shot and killed in April 2001 in Robb Street, Georgetown.

One bullet perforated her lung and damaged her liver and the other lodged in her back, a post mortem examination revealed. Two .38 warheads were recovered from the body.

So far the police have not arrested anyone in relation to the murder, which has been widely condemned. Following yesterday's viewing busloads of relatives followed the Lyken's hearse to West Coast Berbice for the funeral service and burial. (Stabroek News/photo by Aubrey Crawford)
 

Modus operandi in Lusignan, Bartica killings differ

   No police statement on link

One month after 12 people were shot dead in the small mining township of Bartica, Guyanese are still in the dark as to who carried out that attack. And in the absence of any police statement in relation to ballistics evidence linking the Lusignan killings - thought to be the work of the Buxton/Agricola gunmen - to those in the mining community, some security sources have advanced the hypothesis that a drug-linked gang might have committed the act.

Police, in a statement one day after the killings in Bartica, had noted that the gunmen wore foreign camouflage clothing and from all assessments, the killers seemed well-trained with an abundance of intelligence about the Bartica community. Their motive seemed not only to be murder, since they also raided the business place of Chunilall Baboolall where they stole 12 guns as well as a large quantity of gold and cash.

Information collated from various sources by this newspaper, points to no conclusive link in the modus operandi of the killers at Lusignan and those who stormed Bartica, overrunning a police station and stealing a large number of firearms and gold on the night of February 17. However, President Bharrat had taken the leap in announcing two days after the killings in Bartica that the murderers were the same men who had slaughtered 11 people at Lusignan. At a press conference on Friday, he repeated the statement that the two killings were linked.

The only official ballistics evidence of the Bartica slaughter was provided by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee in the National Assembly earlier this month. Contrary to what Jagdeo had said earlier, Rohee announced that ballistics tests conducted on spent shells found at the crime scene at Bartica firmly established that the same weapons had been used to commit killings and robberies at three other locations last year, namely, Better Hope on August 21, 2007; Sheribana on October 1, 2007 and at Triumph on December 16, 2007. He did not mention the Lusignan slayings of January 26, 2008.

Up to Friday, Stabroek News could not ascertain from the police whether there was any ballistics evidence linking Lusignan and Bartica. When asked about the contradiction between his comments and those of Rohee, Jagdeo told reporters that the minister perhaps inadvertently omitted to mention the Lusignan-Bartica connection, and insisted that the two incidents were linked.

The police have not issued any statement on ballistics findings at Bartica, although they had done so shortly after the Lusignan killings. Security officials are of the view that even with ballistics evidence linking guns used at various crime scenes, in a society where criminals rent guns for specific operations the possibility that two different groups were responsible for the killings at the two separate locations could not be ruled out.

Who attacked Bartica?

A senior security official had told Stabroek News that the attack at Bartica might have been a collaborative well-executed plan by drug-linked gunmen operating out of Guyana and neighbouring countries. Stabroek News had been told that certain known shady characters who had links with the drugs trade might have hit hard times and they are believed to be involved in armed robberies.

A senior police officer told this newspaper that the force was aware of these reports, but asserted that there was no hard information on the claims. "What we know is that we are looking at everyone, whether you dealing drugs or doing robbery," the officer who asked not be named said. According to the police official, the scale and manner of the slaughter seemed to be more than criminality, and there might be a bigger motive behind it.

Authorities had sought to link both to wanted man, Rondell 'Fineman,' Rawlins, who had threatened days prior to the Lusignan killings that he would create mayhem if his pregnant, common-law wife, Tenisha Morgan, was not returned safely after she went missing on January 18. His threats had coincided with the ambushing of an army patrol the same night on the Buxton railway embankment during which time a soldier was killed. Two days later the police headquarters was attacked and early the next day the 11 people were slain at Lusignan.

Several persons were quick to make a connection between Lusignan and Bartica because of the number of people who were killed. However, Brigadier, (Rtd), David Granger said that "What we are looking at is a pattern in which heavily-armed gangsters are capable of creating mayhem." A former national security advisor, Granger told Stabroek News that the pattern of mass killings did not start at Lusignan, noting that it went back as far as the carnage in Agricola, Eccles and the shooting at Kaieteur News printery.

He said that criminals seem to have now adopted a new pattern of killing and this may not be peculiar to any one group. It is not the first time that men linked to the drugs trade have been accused of engaging in other criminal activities. Two recent high-profile robberies in the Guyana jungle were said to be the work of drug-linked operatives.

Modus operandi

From all reports, the killers at Lusignan announced their arrival with wild shooting, randomly targeting homes where they executed their victims. A relative of the Thomases, one of the families targeted had told this newspaper that the gunmen pushed down their doors and began firing wildly. The relative said the criminals asked no questions. This was the pattern throughout the hour-long rampage in the community. Residents were unanimous that the gunmen escaped via the canefields, a mode typical of the gunmen operating out of Buxton.

Security experts have remarked that it was fair to assume that the killers at Lusignan were linked to the Buxton/Agricola gang since there was ballistics evidence linking weapons used in other attacks allegedly committed by the criminals from those communities.

The police had recovered an AK-47 rifle used in Lusignan slayings when they shot two gunmen during a dusk operation in Buxton a few days after the Lusignan incident. Using ballistics tests, authorities also linked the weapons used at Lusignan to those that killed Agriculture Minister, Satyadeow Sawh, two of his siblings - all three naturalized Canadian citizens - and a security guard in April 2006.

The AK-47 rifle, retrieved from gunman Troy St John, was also said to have been used in killing several of the four men, two women, three boys and two girls who died at Lusignan. Police further explained that 35 spent shells found at the Lusignan scene matched 18 other spent shells found at the scene of the April 2006 killing of Sawh, who was also a former Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela.

The gunmen had invaded Sawh's home with almost military precision shortly after he, his brother Rajpat Sawh and sister Pulmattie Persaud had returned from a late-night family function. His wife, who hid in the bathroom, and two sons who were not at home escaped the grisly attack.

At Bartica, the gunmen first attacked the police station, ensuring that the lawmen were immobilized. They proceeded to steal weapons from the station and then moved into the community where they robbed a number of places.

At Lusignan there was clearly no intention to rob the residents. In the case of Bartica, observers believe that apart from the policemen who were killed at the police station the other nine people who were slain might have been in the criminals' way. Six men were lined up and shot dead on the ferry stelling and this occurred as the gunmen were leaving the area.

Some residents believe that they were killed because they saw the gunmen's faces and because they were all boatmen who could have easily tracked them down. Several Barticians have pointed to possible links between the criminals and members of their community. Some residents also suggested that some of the killers appeared to be in their late 30s and even 40s. At least one of the gunmen wore a pair of slippers.

Killed in the attack were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; and policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne. Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yaseen; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara, were shot execution style on the Transport and Harbours Stelling. (Stabroek News)
 

March 15, 2008

   Hacked to death by lover

Stacy Ann Thomas

What might have been a lover's quarrel ended tragically yesterday for an 18-year-old when her 22-year-old boyfriend stabbed her countless times about the body in a vicious attack that left her drenched in blood.

Stacy Ann Thomas called `Black girl' of Back Circle, East Ruimveldt was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital around 10 am.

Her attacker, who had fled the house located at Cowan and Duke streets, Kingston where the incident occurred, turned himself in at the Fort Wellington Police Station, West Berbice several hours later. He was in the company of a relative who is a supernumerary constable.

Reports reaching this newspaper are that when Thomas arrived at the hospital her lifeless body was covered in blood and there were countless stab wounds particularly to her upper body. There was a gaping cut on her neck.

Wails erupted at the hospital when relatives turned up on hearing of the incident. Relatives told the media of incidents where the man behind the gruesome crime displayed possessive and aggressive behaviour. They said that they had urged the woman to end the relationship with him and she had promised to do so. It is unclear whether she did fulfill that pledge and questions have been raised about her presence at the house.

The woman's sister said that she last saw her alive and well when she left her home around 8 yesterday morning. Thomas' cousin Keisha English said that the victim and attacker had been together for over a year. With tears running down her cheeks, English said that her cousin who is the eldest of three siblings was working but her job was put on hold so she dedicated her time to taking care of her three siblings since their mother is dead.

"I can't believe that my cousin gone so soon", she said adding that it was only on January 1st that she celebrated her eighteenth birthday. The woman described Thomas as an easy going person who was very affectionate. English recalled many instances when the attacker exhibited his aggressive side in front of her. She told the media that one day he boxed her several times and she stepped in but he told her that she doesn't know what Thomas does to him.

"He like fire he hand", she said before telling reporters that about two days ago he promised never to hit Thomas again after she got the police involved. She opined that if she had not given him a chance, she would have been alive today. English later said that earlier this month, the woman had attempted to end the relationship but her boyfriend would not accept it.

She said that it was only on Saturday that he turned up at her home looking for Thomas and begged her to tell him where she was. "Black girl was so innocent, why she had to dead so fast", she said amidst tears. English said that the last time she saw her alive was last Friday. Stabroek News was also told that the premises where the incident occurred is owned by the attacker's brother and he only gets the house keys when the brother is in the country.

English said that the attacker's nephew who is close to the family contacted relatives and delivered the sad news. This newspaper understands that all the damage was confined to the left side of Thomas's body. As the police began their investigations yesterday morning, their task was made a bit easier when they received information from their counterparts in Berbice that the suspect had turned himself in.

This newspaper understands that the man went to a relative's home in West Berbice and that the relative who is a supernumerary constable took him to the Fort Wellington Police Station where he was handed over to ranks. Arrangements were then made to have the man transported to Police Headquarters, Eve Leary to assist with investigations. (Stabroek News/Zoisa Fraser)
 

Mocha woman beaten, shot and robbed

   Ambushed seconds after closing business

Petra Ming

The still of the night at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Deme-rara (EBD) was shattered on Thursday when two armed, masked men attacked a woman seconds after she had locked her business place, battered her with concrete blocks and shot her in the arm before escaping with the bag of money she had.

At the time of the attack which occurred just after 11 pm in an old fowl pen, Petra Ming, a mother of two, was making her way to her home, which is located about two minutes away from the building that houses the internet café, which she operates. The fowl pen is between the woman's home and the café.

Ming sustained injuries to her head and other parts of the body, and is now a patient of the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she is said to be in a stable condition but in severe pain. Up to press time last evening the men involved in the carefully planned attack had not been held.

This incident, which residents said was the first robbery in nearly a year, sent shock waves throughout the community and raised suspicions that fellow villagers may have played a part in it.

The lack of transportation at the Mocha Police Station was heavily criticised by residents, who informed this newspaper that officers from the Providence Police Station, which is farther away, were the first to arrive on the scene.

One of the concrete blocks (background) that was used to beat Petra Ming.

One resident told this newspaper that when her relative went to the community's police station to report the attack, officers there said they already knew of it.

When Stabroek News arrived at Lot 331 First Street, Mocha Arcadia, Comfort Plus Internet Cafe was shut tight and the police had not yet returned to the area to conduct their investigations.

Up to when this newspaper left the area about half an hour later, they had still not arrived. When this newspaper spoke to a relative shortly after midday, reports were that investigators had still not visited the area and concerns over the crime scene being left unattended were raised.

The fowl pen where the attack occurred told of just how vicious the incident was. Two concrete blocks that were used to beat the woman were covered in dry blood while a roll of brown masking tape and one of the woman's slippers lay nearby.

The woman's sister-in-law Maleah Ming, who lives above the internet cafe, told Stabroek News that at the time of the attack the woman's two children were asleep. She said Petra's husband had migrated several months ago to work. The woman opined that it was a carefully planned attack since the men had hidden behind an old zinc sheet near the entrance to the fowl pen and then ambushed the victim as she passed.

Maleah said the area where the incident occurred was a bit dark and her sister-in-law would usually lock up her business around the same time each night. She has been operating the business for six years and this was the first time she was robbed, Maleah said.

She noted that the attackers had masking tape, which they had probably planned to use on their victim but did not succeed since she fought back. "Like they go to mask she up but they didn't get a chance because she fight real hard," the woman said. Besides beating her, the men also put a gun in Ming's mouth, threatening to shoot and then shot her in the arm.

Maleah said neighbours heard scuffling and then a gunshot and this caused them to venture outside. It was then that they discovered Ming lying on the floor of the fowl pen in a pool of blood. The gunmen escaped with their loot, which was around $30,000 by jumping over Ming's fence and running through her yard into cemetery road.

Stabroek News was told that residents in the area called the Providence Police Station. Police from that station arrived about ten minutes after the men had fled and took the woman to the hospital. Maleah said her sister-in-law's blood loss was unbelievable. She said that apart from the huge blood pool on the floor of the fowl pen, the carpet, sheet and comforter that were placed in the police vehicle with the woman was also soaked with blood.

A woman who lives a stone's throw away from where the incident occurred said that her husband woke her up just after 11 pm and asked her if she had just heard a gunshot. The woman said her husband had heard Ming pass near their bedroom window on her way home a little while earlier.

The woman said she was still in shock over what happened and recalled that she was in the woman's business place earlier in the night to get credit for her cellular phone. She, like other villagers, said this was the last thing they expected to happen in their community. This newspaper was informed that just about a year ago bandits attacked and robbed a shop several lots away from where Ming's business is located.

Meanwhile, the woman's children aged ten and eight years old would be cared for by Maleah who has since said that a light will be placed in the yard to brighten up the area.

Intense pain and immense shock

Yesterday midday villagers, family and friends flocked Ming's bedside as she continuously cried out in pain. The woman's entire head, right arm where she had been shot and two fingers on her left hand were bandaged. Her lips were also swollen and she was receiving saline. When those gathered heard that she had been shot, they expressed shock and many were heard thanking God for sparing Ming's life.

Despite the pain she was in, Ming managed to speak briefly with this newspaper. She said her entire head was "stitched up" and her arm had both entry and exit wounds from the bullet. She told this newspaper that her throat hurt as well, confirming that a gun had been placed in her mouth. Police are continuing their investigations. (Stabroek News/Zoisa Fraser/Jules Gibson photo)
 

   'Fineman' will be hunted down

President

President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday declared that wanted man Rondell `Fineman' Rawlins and his gang members will be hunted down by a unit that was specially set up and he insisted that the same group of men were behind both the Lusignan and Bartica slaughters.

At a press conference yesterday he also criticized PNCR Leader Robert Corbin for placing party members on "high alert" minutes after the national stakeholders meeting on security where he had agreed to support the Joint Services in carrying out their duties within the law.

Meanwhile the government has already made payments on two helicopters for the Joint Services, which are being purchased from Costa Rica and Texas, USA.

Speaking at the Office of the President, Jagdeo said engineers from the army had gone to look at the helicopters before they were paid for and it is expected that they would arrive in the country shortly. The helicopter on loan to Guyana from the government of Trinidad and Tobago is still in the country, beyond the two-week period it was initially loaned for.

Asked about his declaration that the gang involved in the Lusignan slaughter was the same one that had attacked Bartica, when Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee had said in Parliament that ballistics tests showed the same weapons were used at Lusignan, Sheribana and Better Hope, Jagdeo said that Rohee probably made a mistake and forgot to mention Bartica.

The President had made the declaration shortly after he had returned from overseas following the attack at Bartica in which 12 men were killed. He said the police provided him with the information about the linkage.

Speaking about the outcome of the stakeholders meeting on security and the subsequent statements by the PNCR, Jagdeo said it had been agreed that stakeholders would maintain the spirit of the discussions. He said he was concerned at the attempt by the PNCR to mislead people deliberately after committing to work together in the fight against crime.

He said he wished Corbin had placed supporters on high alert when all the criminal acts were being committed. "That time he did not place them on high alert. Now he wants to place them on high alert against the security forces," he said.

He said the PNCR also misled people into thinking that he (Jagdeo) was the cause of former army officer Oliver Hinckson being arrested by the police, charging that he "fingered" him immediately after the Lusignan killings. Jagdeo contended that he spoke about a criminal but he did not mention a name. "It could be many people. Hinckson sought to respond because he felt it was him," he said, adding that it could have been anyone else.

Former soldier Dorian Massay, he said, was in training at the prestigious British military institution, Sandhurst, when he was caught stealing. According to the President, Massay was caught using one of his colleague's credit cards. The matter, he said, came up before the Defence Board on five occasions. "We literally begged for him not to go to jail. We fired him from the army. He was deported from the UK for stealing from the officers' course" he said.

Another issue where he said Corbin misled the people was in relation to an issue which he raised at the stakeholders meeting about police arresting the PNCR supporters and some individuals and not receiving a satisfactory answer.

"I asked him 'What do you want?'" Jagdeo said adding that he told Corbin that from the time the police went after someone, even before they started questioning a suspect, the PNCR would issue a press release and show up at the police station. If the party believes in professionalism, he said, it would allow the police to act instead of behaving like judge and jury, declaring who is guilty and who is innocent.

Interfere

In four recent arrests, he said, even before the police had taken their suspects to the station the PNCR had already intervened. While the PNCR says that the executive should not interfere with the police, he said, the PNCR interferes from time to time, even when it did not know the circumstances (evidence and information) under which the arrests were made and whether or not the person arrested was a criminal, it declares that the person is innocent.

Jagdeo said he had asked Corbin how he knew those arrested were innocent and whether he would have found out from the police before issuing statements. He said Corbin responded that he had no problem with the police doing their duty but it was the manner in which they go about their arrests.

On the slaying of Marcyn King, sister of wanted man Rawlins, Jagdeo said the PNCR contended that the killing was evidence that hired gunmen were available. "I don't know that," the President said. "What I know is that the killing was reprehensible. Ms King should not pay for her brother's crime. He is a criminal. We have to hunt him down with all the forces that we have. No innocent person should be killed because their brother or any member of their family is a criminal."

If the PNCR has information, he said, it should be made available to the police. "They should not pump people up with rhetoric but should stick with the facts," he said. Stating that the PNCR offered unequivocal support to the Joint Services once they were operating within the boundaries of the law, he added, "They must not say one thing at the meeting and come out and do something else."

On the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) statement calling for the dropping of the sedition charge against Hinckson, Jagdeo said the GHRA wants to act as judge and jury. He said he did not understand "these organizations which say they want to promote good governance", coming to a conclusion without listening to or understanding both sides of the story.

Clarifying his statement that ex-soldiers were involved in criminal activities, Jagdeo said he would not say that of all the ex-servicemen, since 99% of them were busy earning a living and doing positive things. He said he was talking about criminals in general who were previously policemen, soldiers, fishermen or farmers. "I don't want to malign ex-servicemen. We should respect them," he said.

However, he said, there was some evidence that some ex-servicemen might have been in contact with the criminal gangs. He said, "I know quite a few people who were helping these gangs, but again from the time they pick them up you see a battery of lawyers turn up."

When asked why the members of the gang were still at large, he said that he has promised that the unit set up to hunt them will not be diverted to any other task until they are caught. "I am making that clear. This task would only end when we get them," he declared adding that he could not say when that would be.

Assuring that the army has tightened up on its armoury, Jagdeo said there had always been a suspicion that the army had been losing ammunition. He said that it was only after former television talk show host and journalist Ronald Waddell was gunned down that he obtained a report from the former Chief of Staff, who said that Waddell had made contact with an army officer asking him to provide ammunition.

In relation to whether the recent killings at Lusignan and Bartica would affect participation at Carifesta billed for August this year in Guyana, Jagdeo said no Caribbean leader had questioned or expressed an opinion as to whether Guyana would be able to host the event on account of security.

He said he urged the countries to make sure they attended Carifesta, because its success would depend on the participation of the delegations across the region and extra-regionally. (Stabroek News)
 

   Marcyn King to be buried today

Marcyn King

Marcyn King, the Rentokil employee and mother of three who was shot and killed while on her way home from work on Monday night, will be laid to rest today even as the police have found no tangible clues as to who her assailant might have been.

The woman's death has elicited widespread condemnation. A police source told this newspaper yesterday that while the police are following several leads, no arrests have been made.

King's relatives told this newspaper that they have also not heard anything new from the police in this regard.

King was walking home after work on Monday night when a brown car drove up beside her and a man disembarked and fired two shots, which hit her in the chest.

One perforated her lung and damaged her liver and the other was lodged in her back, a post-mortem examination has since revealed. (Stabroek News)
 

March 14, 2008

Decomposed body believed to be Alpha Hotel owner......

   found at Yarrowkabra  

The Police last night reported the discovery of the decomposed remains of a female wrapped in a blue tarpaulin about one and a half miles off the Linden Highway, in the vicinity of Yarrowkabra, and which is believed to be that of missing Alpha Hotel owner Rosaline Pearl Hall.

A statement from the Police said the body was found around 13:00 h yesterday by civilian workers in the area. Among the remains were a black brassiere, a pair of multi-coloured underwear, a black denim pants and a white blouse with “Solution S” printed on it.

According to the Police, the clothing has been positively identified as those worn by Rosaline Pearl Hall when she was last seen more than a month ago.

Hall is the proprietrix of the Alpha Hotel who has been reported as missing, and prior to yesterday, the only trace of her discovered by the police was her vehicle which was found at Parika. Hall was last seen in the company of her ex-husband more than six Wednesday’s ago.

Later that very day staff reported that the ex-husband had returned to the hotel and advised staff that Hall had gone to Suriname and that she had handed him a power of attorney document giving him control of the hotel. However many days passed and a missing person report was subsequently made.

A wanted bulletin was subsequently issued for the ex-husband, Alex Barker, who has also since disappeared. Roselaine Hall is said to be a United States citizen by birth. Police are investigating. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Barman knifed to death at Cuyuni

A 37-year-old man was stabbed to death at Warudu Backdam, Cuyuni River on Tuesday night allegedly by a female, who has since been detained by Bartica police. Mark Wilson called 'Markie' of Good Hope, Mahaica was stabbed in the neck and bled to death reportedly after attempting to subdue the 29-year-old woman, who was said to be in a drunken state at the time.

According to information reaching this newspaper, Wilson is a bartender at a shop in the remote interior location. The incident, which led to his demise is said to have occurred at 7:30 pm on Tuesday night. The woman, who allegedly committed the act, was said to be in a drunken state at the time and was "behaving bad". Wilson attempted to subdue her but she had a knife in her possession and cut him on the nose.

He reportedly became angry and slapped her and they both fell on the ground. As he was trying to get up, the woman stabbed him in the area between the neck and shoulder. The bleeding man was taken to his room but bled to death.

His mother, Mignon Wilson told Stabroek News yesterday that she had heard about her son's demise from somebody in Bartica. "Somebody call we and tell we, and we call the station and they seh is true", the woman said. She stated that Mark was one of five brothers and had only returned to the interior two months now after a respite from work in the interior sometime back. She said that he ran the shop for another woman and described him as a quiet boy, who does not drink.

Stabroek News understands that poor weather conditions hindered the bringing out of the body from the remote location and it was eventually transported out yesterday and then taken to Georgetown. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place today. (Stabroek News)
 

   Hinckson further remanded, but moves to High Court

Ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson was spending another night in jail after being further remanded by Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys yesterday. But lawyers for the 64-year-old Army veteran, of Lot 167 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, will, today, resume their bid to secure bail for him.

Attorneys-at-law Mr. Nigel Hughes and Mr. Gregory Gaskin were yesterday afternoon trying to get Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang to hear the motion.

However, the judge assigned the case to Justice Jainarayan Singh, who is presiding in the Bail Court and the latter gave instructions for service to be effected on the defendants, Attorney General, Mr. Doodnauth Singh S.C. and Police Detective Corporal Suraj Singh. The parties are expected to appear before Justice Singh at 13:30 h today.

As Hinckson appeared in a Magistrate’s Court for the second time this week yesterday, his relatives and supporters carried placards proclaiming his innocence and shouted their support in the courtyard. In the High Court move, Hinckson claimed the laying of the charges against him is a breach of his fundamental right.

He also asked for a declaration that his arrest and detention on March 5 breached his fundamental right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 147 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Another declaration he is seeking is to have the Court pronounce that the statement he made on February 1 is one he is entitled to make, pursuant to his protected right to freedom of expression pursuant to Article 147 of the Constitution. Also representing the applicant in the matter are other attorneys-at-law, Mr. Mark Waldron, Mr. Ronald Burch-Smith and Mr. Leslie Sobers.

The grounds for the filing are, among other things, that:

* Hinckson is a citizen of Guyana and an author and a student of University of Guyana who has final examinations in the degree programme started March 12.

He also, in an affidavit, said: “I would like to say categorically, as a soldier, we do not engage in any kind of assault on children and civilians. Because of the President’s statements, there has been developed a symbiotic relationship between himself and myself, in that his statement had been deemed a veiled threat on my life and, if anything should happen to me, I am sure he, being a conscionable human being, would have sleepless nights.

“I would like to speak on behalf of the 20,000 ex-servicemen in Guyana. We have Sergeant Major Stuart and ex-Cadet Massay from Sandhurst, who is an ex-soldier and these men feel, like many other Guyanese, that they have been dispossessed, disenfranchised and disillusioned.

“This is because, in my mind, a monster has been created and the monster is now out of control. He has turned on his own creators and it is running amok. People are suffering at the hands of arrogance, venality, greed, malice and spite and the social fabric of this society stands the risk of being torn asunder.”

Hinckson continued: “I believe this is more than a criminal problem and all the evidence point in that direction. When you apprehend and, ultimately as it goes in this country, kill a suspect and that suspect is dressed in army fatigues and carries one of the most lethal assault weapons – the AK-47 -- he is no ordinary criminal. This is a man with a grievance. He is symbolic of a lot that has gone awry in the society…,” Hinckson swore.

He maintained that his assertions do not disclose any criminal offence. Hinckson was charged on Tuesday with the capital offence of sedition. Particulars of the indictable charges said, last January 31:

* Hinckson advocated to commit terrorism, and

* uttered a seditious speech to the public and news media, the purpose of which would bring hatred and contempt and promote public disorder.

Hinckson is, reportedly, the fourth Guyanese to have been charged with sedition, following former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian Fred Bowman, in the colonial era and two party colleagues, one being Nasrudeen, in the post-Independence period. (Telesha Persaud and George Barclay/Guyana Cronicle)
 

March 13, 2008

   Police response to Goed Fortuin gun attack poor - family

Fareeda Inshan nursing a gunshot wound to her right leg

Relatives of the Goed Fortuin, West Demerara woman who was shot in the leg during s robbery on Monday night are insisting that the police were told of the robbery while they were being attacked yet they failed to respond quickly.

Bibi Inshan, sister of Fareeda Inshan told Stabroek News that her father and sister-in-law were in their respective bedrooms when three men, two of whom were armed, forced open the veranda door and barged into the house.

She said one of the three men came downstairs looking for the family and she soon realised that there was a fourth accomplice who stayed outside shouting warnings to the family.

"When I see the person coming down the stairs I thought someone was making a joke," the woman said, but "When I realize is a bandit I slam the step door on him, it hit him and he fell." Bibi said the man "came calling" when he found them, saying "where all ah dem deh?" She said when he found them "he ordered me to lie on the floor but I refused."

Bibi said after the family was herded into the upper flat of the house a struggle ensued between Fareeda and the bandit. "She hit him with a axe handle, he struggled fired a bullet that hit the floor, she hit him again and then he shoot she in the leg," Bibi recalled. Still in disbelief she added, "He shoot she and just walk away." Bibi said she is angry at the poor police response as besides the adults in the house; three children were also there including her two-year-old grandchild who hid under a bed.

Bibi said the terrified child beckoned her to cover with a sheet and to hide there too and that the child remains traumatised having witnessed the terrifying 20-minute episode. She said the police arrived on the scene five minutes after the robbers fled. As regard Fareeda, relatives said the woman is experiencing intense pain. According to a police press release on Tuesday the men escaped in a waiting motor vehicle. (Stabroek News)
 

   Caribbean top cops, army chiefs to meet in Guyana next week

Bridgetown, Barbados - Police comissioners and Military Chiefs of the Caribbean Community will be meeting over three days in Guyana next week in preparation for CARICOM's 'special summit' scheduled for next month in Port-of-Spain.

Disclosure of the proposed March 19-21 "extraordinary joint meeting" of the Community's standing committees of Police Commissioners and Military Commanders in Georgetown, has come from Barbados' Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin in his capacity as chairman of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP).

On Tuesday, Dottin hosted a meeting of the ACCP's executive committee at police headquarters in Bridgetown at which were present the Police Commissioners of Trinidad and Tobago (Trevor Paul); Guyana (Henry Green); Dominica (Mathias Lestrade); Bermuda (George Jackson) and Anguilla (Keithley Benjamin). 

The joint meeting in Georgetown of top police and military officials is expected to offer ideas and recommendations to help inform a "strategy and action plan" to be formulated at next month's "special summit" on crime and security in Trinidad and Tobago.

It will be hosted by Prime Minister Patrick Manning who has lead responsibility within CARICOM for such issues. The special summit was one of the decisions taken at last week's 19th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM leaders.

Tuesday's meeting in Barbados, hosted by Commissioner Dottin, was focused on forthcoming regular preparation the annual conference of the ACCP scheduled to be held in May and hosted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

However, ahead of next week's joint meeting of top police and army officials in Georgetown, Tuesday's meeting devoted a significant segment to information-sharing on the current challenging crime situations in both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. But Commissioner Dottin said that it would be inappropriate to make public the nature of that discussion. They, nevertheless, spoke of satisfaction with intelligence being shared as well as on "best practices" cooperation.

Questioned on the need for the respective police services to engage more in sharing of human resources and for less dependence on cops being recruited from abroad to hold senior positions in some jurisdictions, the Commissioners said the ACCP has a favourable position with respect to utilising the experience and skills of CARICOM nationals, but prefer to avoid public pronouncements at this time on any employment of non-nationals. (Rickey Singh/Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Gold smugglers busted in Suriname?

The three Guyanese men who were intercepted with a large amount of gold in Suriname may be part of a well-established, gold smuggling ring, supported by a network of Chinese businessmen operating out of Suriname. The trio was reportedly travelling in a locally registered car.

However there is still a question as to whether there is any link between this find and the robbery of a gold dealer at Bartica on the night gunmen waged war in the community and took 12 lives.

A police source told Stabroek News yesterday that the police here have been provided with the names of the men who were apprehended and are to be informed as to what action will be taken against them. The source said the incident could be dealt with as a customs matter and the persons made to pay the necessary fines in that regard.

Another well-placed source told Stabroek News that there were suspicions that persons here with close links to mining camps would purchase gold illegally, accumulate it and then smuggle large amounts of it to neighbouring Suriname where the laws were a bit different and more favourable in terms of royalties and taxes, which would have to be paid. In Guyana, miners are subject to royalties of five per cent and a tax of two per cent and so selling gold here was not as lucrative.

"So the police there may have caught up with some from that chain of smugglers," the source said. "But whether the gold they had may have come from the Bartica robbery is still to be determined."

On February 17 when gunmen stormed Bartica, they had first attacked the police station where three policemen were shot and killed. They then went to the CB&R Mining Company where they shot and killed a security guard and stole 12 guns, a quantity of gold and some petty cash, which was in an iron safe. Neither CB&R Owner Chunilall Baboolall nor the police had ever revealed to this newspaper the amount of gold stolen.

The gunmen had also destroyed security cameras at the location. They then proceeded to the home of gold dealer Gurudat Singh, from where, it was reported, they escaped with a safe. The source told this newspaper that the gunmen would have taken a large quantity of gold from this family's home.

The source explained that many gold dealers have been taking advantage of the Guyana Gold Board having opened an office in Bartica and were selling their gold to avoid the security risk of holding it at their homes or offices.

Many have concluded that the real intention of the February 17 massacre at Bartica might have been robbery and if the gold found in the possession of the trio in Suriname came from the Bartica robberies, then the theories of community members' participation would add up.

On that night, after attacking the community's arm of law enforcement and crippling any element of protection, the gunmen shot and injured innocent persons, supplemented their weaponry, and then executed six men who were on boats docked at the Transport and Harbours stelling.

Killed in the Bartica attack were residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne, and Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasin; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara, who were shot execution style at the stelling.

The gunmen were dressed in military type clothing and in bulletproof vests and armed with rapid-fire guns. They numbered around 20, residents estimated. The police said some of the gunmen were dressed in foreign camouflage and khaki clothing and some residents said they also appeared to be wearing helmets. After the incident the police said that 165 spent shells of 7.62 x 39 calibre, eight 7.62 x 51 spent shells, three .32 spent shells along with eleven 7.62 x 39 and fifteen .32 live rounds were recovered.

The joint services have since recovered a gun stolen from the CB&R Mining Company. Law enforcement officials said they unearthed an abandoned camp at Bucktown, Wismar, which had been the likely hideout of the men. Searches at the camp produced a Guyana passport and NIS card in the name of Baboolall along with a quantity of eating utensils, a searchlight, a green tarpaulin, a hacksaw blade, and an empty plastic water container among other articles. (Stabroek News)
 

March 12, 2008

Murder of 'Fineman' sister 'dangerous development'

   PNCR

Marcyn King

The murder of 36-year-old Marcyn King is a dangerous development, the PNCR said yesterday, and it called on government to take urgent action to protect the lives of relatives of persons on the police's wanted list. King's brother is wanted man Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlin. Police have offered a $50 million reward for information, which could lead to his arrest.

King was shot dead on Monday night while on her way home from work. It is unclear whether any spent shells were recovered from the crime scene on Monday night and up to press time last night the police had said nothing further as regards investigations into the killing.

However yesterday the police visited the family's D'Andrade Street home and statements were given by family members. A post-mortem examination is to be performed on King's body today.

Hours after the shooting, the police had said that a white car drove up beside the woman and a man exited and discharged several rounds from a firearm hitting her about the body. However, yesterday an eyewitness told this newspaper that the woman's assailant had exited a brown car. The source also said the car sped off immediately after.

In a strongly worded statement yesterday, the PNCR condemned the woman's murder, saying that the circumstances in which she was killed bore all the hallmarks of "a hired gun for a reprisal killing". The party also called on the Joint Services to redouble their efforts and said it was concerned that such an apparent revenge execution could lead to retaliation.

"The party therefore believes that the security forces should redouble their efforts to prevent possible tit for tat retaliation killings which can only fuel the socially corrosive cycle of violence and further threaten the social fabric of the society," the statement said. "For some time now it had been the party's contention that contract killers, pointing to the existence of phantom organisations, are abroad in this society with scant regard for human life."

The PNCR said this recent incident further highlights the need for the PPP/C administration to urgently implement a holistic national security strategy supported by all national stakeholders to ensure the protection of all the citizens. The party said the contract killing phenomenon must cause Guyanese to reflect on the nature of the socialisation process and the causal factors including the role of the family and the education system.

King's mother Margaret Rawlins, who is still coming to grips with her daughter's murder, recounted to this newspaper how quiet her daughter was. "She is always a person to come home straight after work and look after her children and then she cloaks up with a book," the woman said. She said growing up Marcyn was always a quiet and peaceful child who did not get into trouble.

Meanwhile, managers and employees at King's place of work yesterday recalled her pleasant personality. Rentokil Initial Limited Managing Director Bruce Roberts told Stabroek News that the woman's persona was one that all the staff had appreciated.

He said King had been with the company for close to 12 years and had worked her way up. At the time of her death she was supervisor of the company's health care department. "She was probably the only employee who worked here for so long and did not have a disciplinary letter in her file," Roberts said.

He said King was always a quiet person and always had her head in a romance novel. "As soon as you missed her, she was reading; always with a book," he added. He said that as a worker she was always punctual, mannerly and decent. Replacing King would be hard for Rentokil, since, according to Roberts, "you hardly find people these days who stay on the job for so long and are dedicated." (Stabroek News)
 

Hinckson charged with sedition

   Massay for possessing Army kit

Ex-army Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson has been charged with the capital offence of sedition.

The 64-year-old veteran, of Lot 167 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, also faced a charge of advocating the commission of a terrorist act when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle yesterday. Particulars of the indictable charges said, last January 31:

* Hinckson advocated to commit terrorism, and uttered a seditious speech to the public and news media, the purpose of which would bring hatred and contempt and promote public disorder.

Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, successfully opposed bail for Hinckson, on the bases of the nature and graphics of the charges. Attorney-at-law Mr. Nigel Hughes contended that there are no particulars to suggest that Hinckson advocated any act and submitted it is a malicious prosecution.

He said there are no details in the allegations that the accused advocated any act of terrorism or use of any bombs, explosives, etc. Hughes also claimed that, towards the end of a statement made by Hinckson, the latter actually advocated the involvement of stakeholders in dialogue to address the crisis the country faces and the public has benefitted significantly from his assertion.

Defence Counsel said he understands that, shortly after Hinckson spoke, a meeting was held with the President and stakeholders and the entire content was adapted wholeheartedly. Hughes said Hinckson should not be prosecuted on the basis of the right to freedom of speech.

About the remanded prisoner, Hughes said he is a father of seven, a writer/publisher and was a member of the Army, who displayed considerable talent, leading to his selection and successful completion of specialist training in the United Kingdom (U.K). Hughes said Hinckson spends most of his time contributing to the training and development of socially challenged young people of a disadvantaged background.

The lawyer disclosed that the accused, who is pursuing a Degree in International Relations at University of Guyana (UG), is expected to commence his final year examinations today and that is an indication Hinckson wants to improve himself.

Hinckson is, reportedly, the fourth Guyanese to have been charged with sedition, following former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian Fred Bowman, in the colonial era and two party colleagues, one being Nasrudeen, in the post-Independence period.

Another attorney-at-law representing Hinckson, Mr. Vic Puran, said all the charge contains is the mere allegation of intention that does not constitute the offence.

He questioned whether the charge bears ingredients of terrorism but Hinckson was ordered to remain in jail and the case has been transferred to another Court for March 30.

Other former GDF Lieutenant Dorian Massay, 27, of 167 Takuba Road, Meadow Brook Garden, Georgetown, also appeared in the same Court with Hinckson and not guilty to acquiring military stores.

Particulars of the offence said he was in the possession, on March 5, of a pair of black boots, a camouflage bag and a camouflage jacket, property of the GDF. The defendant was granted $50,000 bail his case, too, was transferred to a different Court, for March 26. (Priya Nauth/Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Gunmen storm Hadfield eatery

Two gunmen last night stormed the Carrefour Restaurant on Hadfield Street and Louisa Row and carted off $96,000, gun-butting a waitress and other staff before making their escape in a waiting car. No shots were fired. The very establishment had been the scene of a killing last year. Yun-Sun Chen was shot in his chest by bandits at his business on March 20, 2007. He died the next day in hospital.

Relating last night's incident to this newspaper, manager of the establishment Liping Chen said that the men carried long guns. She said that they pulled up in a white Toyota car and demanded that everyone in the restaurant lie on the floor. "They asked where the money is…they pushed the door and the baby fall down," she said.

She said that there were about four customers in the restaurant at the time and they were made to lie on the floor by the two gunmen, who had a waiting accomplice in a car outside. The men are said to have escaped in a southerly direction. The daughter of the slain restaurateur said that the men took all the money in the establishment, even the small change. "They took out the drawer," she said. "They hit the waiter and my sister," she lamented.

Chen related that workers called 911 and the line was busy. "We refuse to go to the station. The last time my father got shot, what I going to the station for," the distraught young lady said. She stated that on previous occasions after the restaurant was robbed, her father had applied for a firearm licence but never got any response.

One elderly man described the scenario. "I was drinking. I buy a beer and the next thing I know I hear somebody shout 'everybody lie down'. So I lie down and shut me eye," the man said. This customer had paid for a meal and was waiting on it when the attack occurred. The staff of the restaurant had naturally stopped all business when the man reminded them that they still had his money. (Johann Earle/Stabroek News)
 

March 11, 2008

Mexico returns Guyanese to US to face murder charge

   Also wanted in Canada

Mohamed Kamaludeen

Guyanese born Mohamed Kamaludeen is to be arraigned in Reno, Nevada, USA this week for the August 2007 murder of University of Nevada Professor Judy Calder. According to Canwest News Service, Kamaludeen, 50, was flown to Reno in January from Mexico as part of an extradition deal with Mexican authorities.

The former Canadian resident had fled Canada 15 years ago after he was suspected of arranging Toronto's infamous "pinky-ring murder" in 1993.

He will be arraigned this week on a first-degree murder charge in the August 2007 stabbing death of Calder, a 64-year-old expert in criminal violence, whom prosecutors suspect was killed by the former Canadian resident over a failed business deal, the report said. The report said Nevada prosecutor Bruce Hahn was very eager to learn more about the pinky-ring murder because there "may be a critical connection" with the US killing.

The pinky-ring murder, the report said, was "a crime that shocked even homicide-hardened Toronto: a 62-year-old, Hungarian-born grandfather, who had survived the Holocaust and owned a cab company in the city's downtown, was stabbed to death at his taxi garage in September 1993." Bernard Bimbi was killed over a $30,000 diamond ring he wore on a pinky finger that was nearly hacked off by his assailant to secure the prize.

The article went on to say that Bimbi's murder had led to a landmark court case that saw for the first time in Canada a young offender face a trial by jury. "But Bimbi's 17-year-old killer was controversially sentenced to just three years for his role in the crime, which investigators claimed had been orchestrated by an older, shadowy figure - [the then] 35-year-old Mohamed Kamaludeen - who had allegedly manipulated the youth, grabbed the ring and fled the country," the article said.

Notably, as in the Toronto case, Kamaludeen is accused of "hiring or inducing" another man - illegal Filipino immigrant Carlos Filomeno - to carry out the fatal attack on Calder, the report said. (Stabroek News)
 

   'Fineman's' sister murdered

Marcyn King

The sister of wanted man Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlins was shot dead on her way home from work after sundown yesterday, a stone's throw from her D'Anrade Street, Newtown, Kitty home.

Thirty-six-year-old Marcyn King, a mother of three and a supervisor at Rentokil Initial Guyana Limited was shot at point blank range in a poorly lit section of Republic Street, a route she used whenever she made her own way home. At other times, the woman was picked up from work by her husband.

The circumstances surrounding exactly how the woman was shot were not clear up to press time last night, since varying reports were given by persons at the scene. Some said a car drove up alongside the woman and fired shots, while others recounted seeing a man exiting the vehicle, speaking a few words to the woman and then shooting her.

The police said in a statement last night that the shooting occurred around 5.40 pm. The statement said a white car drove up beside the woman and a man exited and discharged several rounds from a firearm hitting the woman about the body.

King was shot twice in the chest and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital, this newspaper learned. The police statement said the force would not tolerate the killing of innocent persons and all efforts would be made to arrest and prosecute the perpetrator. When this newspaper arrived on the scene around 7.10 pm, several residents lined the poorly-lit street, a few of them without umbrellas even though it was raining.

A woman whose husband assisted others to lift King into the vehicle told this newspaper that she was inside her home with her grandchildren and they heard the sounds, which sounded like firecrackers and did not venture out. However, when her husband looked out he saw persons gathering in the street and took a closer look. She said her husband then ventured out and assisted others to place King in a vehicle.

Heavy rains all day had caused flooding on both sides of the street and King fell in water after she was shot. Two police vehicles were on the scene while this newspaper was there and some persons at the scene, including a pre-teen boy, were taken to the police station for questioning. The woman's husband, who was also on the scene briefly, was also taken to the police station.

Prior to this, he was overheard saying that he was at home when a friend went running towards the house, shouting to him to get his vehicle to take his wife to the hospital since she had just been shot. Some young men, who said they had been in the adjoining street chatting when the incident occurred, said they had not heard any gunshots, but someone went and informed them that something had happened.

"When he tell we dat we came running down the road, because we say must be somebody get rob and we coming fuh share licks, not knowing when we reach and we look down we see a woman lie down pun the road," one of the young men recounted. He said by that time persons had started to venture out of their homes and the woman was placed in the vehicle. "The place was getting lil dark," he said.

At the woman's home last evening, her mother, Margaret Rawlins, said she had gone over to the nearby shop to make a purchase when she heard the sound, but figured that it was firecrackers. "Then I saw this boy came running and told my son-in-law to bring his vehicle and come and take his wife to the hospital," she said. The woman said that it appeared as though her daughter sustained two gunshot wounds and was bleeding through her nose and mouth.

The woman said she last saw her daughter when she left for work yesterday morning. "She wouldn't usually come home so late everyday, but on Mondays in particular she worked a bit late. She would come off the bus and then walk in the piece and come home," she said, with a hand over her eyes. Another relative in the home showed this newspaper King's bag and her belongings and said that nothing was missing from it.

One of the woman's sons had also run to the scene after hearing that his mother was shot, but was later taken away by a relative. (Stabroek News)
 

   Fineman's sister shot

Govt. statement calls for rejection of acts to sustain fear, tension

The sister of Guyana’s most wanted man, Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlins, was shot and killed early last night in an apparent drive-by shooting at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Police said Mary King, 34, of Republic Street, Newtown, was gunned down about 17:40h while walking along D’Andrade Street, Kitty.

King was on D’Andrade Street when a white car drove up alongside. A man exited the vehicle and shot her several times. King collapsed and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where she was pronounced dead on arrival. King was not wanted by the police.

A press release said last night that the police will not tolerate the killing of innocent persons and all efforts will be made to arrest and prosecute the perpetrator of this act. Meanwhile, in an initial reaction, a government official last night restated the government’s outright condemnation of the loss of innocent lives.
 

The statement said that this seems to be an orchestrated attempt to fuel the campaign of killings by the notorious Rawlins. The sister of Rawlins should not be used or targeted for Rawlins’ criminal atrocities, the statement said. “All Guyanese must reject these wicked acts designed to sustain fear and tension in society,” the statement added. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Woman shot during robbery

A 40-year-old woman was shot in her right leg last night, reportedly during a robbery at her Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara home.

The woman, Bibi Fareda Inshan of 460 Goed Intent was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was undergoing treatment up to press time. She was said to be in no immediate danger. Details about the robbery were sketchy, but according to reports it occurred before 10 pm. (Stabroek News)
 

March 10, 2008

   Caricom to hold crime summit

Seven weeks later only one person charged....

......over 23 Lusignan Bartica murders

In the aftermath of two bloody massacres that claimed the lives of 23 people here and other challenges in the region, Caricom is convening a special summit on security for next month in Trinidad.

The communique from the two-day heads of government summit in The Bahamas on Friday and Saturday said that the leaders agreed the special summit "to fully explore the crime and security issues facing the Region and to agree to a Strategy and Action Plan to stem the rising tide of violent criminality".

Yesterday's Trinidad Express reported Prime Minister Patrick Manning as saying that while new initiatives were being sought, Caricom was not losing the war on crime.

"What we are doing is pausing and taking a second look at it to see perhaps where there might have initiatives to be taken that we didn't take or other ideas we may now have as we seek to take the war on crime to a new level and that is why we have invited the Heads to come to Port of Spain in early April," Manning told the newspaper.

In relation to his presentation at the summit on threat assessment, Manning told the Trinidad Express: "I certainly got the impression that all leaders were sensitised to the seriousness of the threat and that is really what we were about." Prior to the Bahamas summit Manning had proposed the setting up of a regional security force to address serious crime and this is likely to be further discussed.

During a news conference at the Sheraton on Friday night in The Bahamas, Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson said Caricom does not need any foreign law enforcement agencies to completely take over the job, the newspaper reported.

According to the communique, the leaders agreed that an extraordinary joint meeting of the Standing Committee of Police and the Standing Committee of Military Chiefs would be held before the meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for National Security Law Enforcement (CONSLE). The latter meeting will take place just before the special summit.

"Heads of Government requested that a draft amendment to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to give effect to their decision to make Security the Fourth Pillar of the integration movement be presented to the meeting of CONSLE for review prior to submission to the Inter-Governmental Task Force", the communiqué added.

The region has been shocked by the massacres here on January 26 and February 17 at Lusignan and Bartica respectively. Following the Bartica attack Trinidad dispatched a helicopter here and also agreed to provide specialized weapons for use by the security forces.

The police force and army here have been hamstrung by a lack of resources and there was no helicopter to respond to either of the two massacres. Thus far only one person has been charged over the Lusignan murders and while several people have been questioned in relation to the Bartica massacre no one has been charged. The government has come under severe pressure to produce results and has convened a national stakeholders' forum for broad agreement on the way ahead.

Bucktown

The discovery of a gun that was stolen during the Bartica killings, at Bucktown in Wismar, Linden two Saturdays ago has confirmed that at least some of the gunmen travelled through that community but the question as to whether the joint services would have been able to apprehend them remains as this newspaper was told that it would have taken only two hours from Bartica to Linden travelling on both river and road.

While it is not clear if this is what they did immediately following the massacre, persons have pointed out that this is possible. A press release from the Joint Services last Wednesday said that a 12-gauge shotgun that has been confirmed as being one of those stolen from the home of Bartica miner, Chunilall Baboolall on February 17 was found in the area surrounding the camp.

Residents of the community had recalled seeing strange men in the area after the Bartica incident but as they were dressed in army fatigues they took them for army ranks. Two days after the killings, on February 19 a large Joint Services operation took place in Linden and was focused on the Wisroc backlands and the road trail linking Linden and Bartica.

The search was abandoned some three hours after. According to a Linden resident this newspaper spoke with there was always a sense in the community that an adequate amount of time was not spent in the area during that very critical period. Prior to the Joint Services entering Linden, information was received that a number of men robbed a truck that came out of the interior the day following the Bartica attack. The men took cash and jewellery from the persons in the truck but no shots were fired.

Given that in the space of two hours the men could have moved from Bartica to Linden, the source said it raises the question as to whether the joint services response was fast enough to enable them to capture the men. From all indications at least some of the gunmen travelled via the Essequibo River from Bartica to the Sheribana crossing and thence to Linden. According to the source, from Bartica to the crossing would have taken a half of an hour though it would have taken a person with a good knowledge of the river to navigate it.

Shortly after the Bartica incident a 75 horse power engine was found drifting at St. Mary's, a hinterland community a few miles away from Bartica and via the river, ten minutes away from the Sheribana crossing. While it is believed that the gunmen used more than one boat, the other has yet to be found and this newspaper was told that given the nature of the river at the crossing, there are lots of places to conceal a boat.

It is not clear if any searches were conducted in the vicinity of the crossing. Stabroek News was told that there are foot trails leading to the road from St. Mary's. Other reports had also suggested that the St. Mary's boat may have been a decoy and that the men instead fled north after leaving Bartica into the Atlantic.

Chairman of Region Seven, Holbert Knights when contacted yesterday stated that persons in the community were talking about the discovery and while stating that "the gun is the only indication we have that the men might have been in or through Linden", pointed out that it is not known how many of the men were actually there. (Stabroek News)
 

March 09, 2008

Bartica gunmen's camp

Some Wismar residents recall seeing strange men in area

   Mistook them for army ranks

Following the Joint Services' announcement last week that they had found an abandoned camp used by the Bartica gunmen at Bucktown Wismar, Lindeners have started to recollect seeing strange men whom they mistook for army ranks because they were dressed in military fatigues.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night the Joint Services said that five days earlier they had located an abandoned camp at Bucktown Wismar which was the likely hideout of the men who slaughtered 12 persons at Bartica. The release also said a 12-gauge shotgun recovered in the camp had been confirmed as being one of those stolen from the home of Bartica miner, Chunilall Baboolall on February 17.

In addition, a Guyana passport and an NIS card in the name of Baboolall had been found along with a quantity of eating utensils, a searchlight, a green tarpaulin, a hacksaw blade and an empty plastic water container, among other articles, the release said. Since that initial statement the Joint Services have released no further information on their discovery or any pictures in relation to it.

This newspaper spoke with several persons living in and around Wismar who reported seeing strange men, although they hadn't found them suspicious. A Linden taxi-driver told this newspaper that one night he was taking home a passenger to Blue Berry Hill, and decided to use the back road, which is close to where the Joint Services said they found the camp.

After he reached the destination, the man advised him not to take the same route home, or drive there at night since the area was "hot." The man said he didn't make much of the warning, but took his advice and did not drive in the area. It was only after the publication of the report on the servicemen's find that he understood his passenger's words.

One woman said that she and her friends had gone to the Bucktown Creek one day and had noticed a number of men in the water having a bath. Some of them appeared to be strangers since they had never seen them before in the community. The woman said she asked her friends whether any of the faces were familiar, since the men appeared to be in a group.

She said about two of the men, whom she was unable to describe since she hadn't paid them too much attention, started to look at her and noticing their glances, she and her friend decided to leave. "No one never really say anything because it's not like these men were known to the community, but because they had on army uniform nobody didn't worry to get suspicious," she said.

Another resident said he may have noticed the men but like everyone else, paid them little or no attention since after the killings in Bartica, the army had upped its presence around the country. "I saw them, but I know since Linden is one of the routes they could have possibly come through, I say them boys probably just start combing through the area just in case they come through this side, not knowing that these may have been gunmen," he told this newspaper.

Another source in the community said after the Joint Services announced that they had found what seemed to be an abandoned camp, many Wismar residents became concerned and some even decided to stay in their homes after dark. However, by the following day the situation had returned to some level of normality. A large contingent of military personnel had descended on Wisroc, Linden, shortly after the killings at Bartica combing the area for any traces of the gang. The search was abandoned some three hours later.

One Linden resident this newspaper spoke to last night said there was a sense in the community that not enough time had been spent in the area during that very critical period. Prior to the Joint Services entering Linden, information had been received that a number of men had robbed a truck coming out of the interior the day following the Bartica attack. The men took cash and jewellery from the persons in the truck but no shots were fired.

At the time, speculation was rife that the men might have been those from the Bartica massacre. However, a Joint Services presence was established in the community with a view to preventing the gunmen from moving through the area using either river or road networks. It is estimated that between fifteen to twenty men carried out the attack at Bartica. Sources said that three of the men were left to guard the river while more than ten others mounted an hour-long attack on the community.

The police outpost was first attacked and three officers were killed while two others were seriously wounded. The gang of gunmen carted off several firearms and ammunition from two strong boxes at the outpost. CB&R Mining was then attacked and it was there the gang shot dead security guard, Irving Ferreira before escaping with 12 rifles and a quantity of gold among other items.

The other persons killed in the attack were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes; Dexter Adrian; and policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne and Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasin; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara, who were shot execution style at the Transport and Harbours Stelling. (Stabroek News)
 

March 08, 2008

Police want James Gibson

   Hinckson, Massay still detained

James Gibson

The two former Guyana Defence Force officers (GDF), Oliver Hinckson and Dorian Massay, whom the Police detained early Wednesday morning from Hinckson’s Meadowbrook, Georgetown home, were still in Police custody up to press time last night, according to attorney-at-law, Gregory Gaskin.

The two men, according to Gaskin, a retired GDF Lieutenant Colonel and one of several attorneys looking into their interest, were still being questioned by the Police, who up to last night had not laid any charges against them.

Cabinet Secretary and Secretary to the Defence Board, Dr Roger Luncheon, in responding to a query about the detention of the men at his weekly press-briefing on Thursday, had said that it is no secret that many of the (criminal) gangs have benefited from the presence of former members of the joint services.

Luncheon who said he believed that Hinckson and Massay were being held in relation to criminal matters for which they were wanted by the Police, made mention of the late Linden ‘Blackie’ London, a former soldier who was killed in a guest house in Eccles, during a shoot-out with the joint services, though he said he was not making any links. He said too that there are other ex-servicemen who the Police want in relation to criminal charges and that once their whereabouts are known, they too would be arrested.

Hinckson and another ex-soldier James Gibson began making headlines when they were detained on June 6, 2007 during the heightened search for the 33 AK- 47 and five pistols that were stolen from the Camp Ayanganna arms store in 2006. The GDF had issued wanted bulletins for the two men who were subsequently arrested at 115 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt.

At the time of their arrest the Joint Services were also searching private homes for then wanted Roger Khan, who is now in a jail in New York, awaiting trial on several charges in relations to importing cocaine into that country.

Hinckson and Gibson were subsequently jointly charged with possession of a .38 pistol and 12 matching rounds, along with 27 12-guage shotgun cartridges allegedly found at the Aubrey Barker premises. Hinckson got into more controversy after he made scathing remarks at a press conference hosted by Mayor Hamilton Green.

Massay, a little-known-of GDF officer came to prominence when he found himself on the other side of the law while studying at the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in London. Once Massay arrived home, the Army subsequently parted ways with him. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Wanted bulletin for James Gibson

Police last night issued a wanted bulletin for James Gibson, the man who was charged jointly with former army officer Oliver Hinckson for gun possession. Hinckson along with another former army officer Dorian Massay was picked up by the police on Wednesday for questioning into public statements made prior to the Bartica massacre.

In a press release, the police said Gibson is wanted for non-appearance at court and that the court has issued the warrant for his arrest.

The police said anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of Gibson is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-2700, 226-2917, 226-4585, 225-2317, 227-4065, 226-6978, 225-3650, 225-8196, 227-1270, 227-1611, 227-1149, 225-6941-3, 225-6945, 225-6946, 333-2151-4, 229-2700-5, 268-2328, 444-3512, 444-3351, and 771 -5004. The police say all information would be treated in strict confidence. (Stabroek News)
 

Security Sector Reform Action Plan moves apace

   Police complete first training programme

Police officers from the various Police divisions have completed the first training programme under the British funded Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP). The training was facilitated by Mr.Tod O'Brien, a consultant from the British government’s National Policing Improvement Agency.

"What you are doing is a vitally important job. You are the interface between the Police Force and the public", Deputy British High Commissioner Malcolm Kirk told Police ranks at the closing of the three-day training seminar. Participants for the seminar were drawn from the Guyana Police Force Operations Room at Brickdam, B Division (Berbice), C Division (East Coast Demerara), D Division (West Demerara), E Division (Linden), G Division (Essequibo) and the Force Control Unit at Eve Leary.

Twenty-six ranks were trained.

In his short address, the Deputy High Commissioner noted that the training was the culmination of efforts by the British High Commission and the Government of Guyana to implement recommendations outlined in the SSRAP. According to Kirk, the training session will not be the end of the process but at sometime in the future an assessment will be made to determine whether the training had “taken root”.

Mr. Obrien reminded the participants that the only thing standing between them and greatness was themselves. In addition to the training, the units were also provided with communications equipment to enhance their operations. Computers are being installed at the Brickdam Operations Room and very soon it is envisaged that a public education campaign will be launched to educate persons on the importance of the 911 police emergency telephone number.

Also present for the closing was Commander of A Division Assistant Commissioner Welton Trotz who expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire Police Force for the training and equipment provided. He said efforts would be made to bring the other divisions on par with the Brickdam station. He reminded the participants that they are there to serve the public and when persons call they expect help and advise. "You have been trained and you are able to respond," Trotz said.

It was noted that many ‘crank’ calls are placed by persons to the 911number and according to the Assistant Commissioner legislation will soon be tabled in the National Assembly to address this. (Guyana Cronicle)


   Violence against women increasing

Human Services calls for national action

There is increasing incidence of violence against Guyanese women and girls, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security said yesterday and called for national action across all divides to confront the problem.

The Ministry’s statement comes as Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing International Women’s Day. “The reality is that our women and girls are becoming increasingly vulnerable in our society today,” the Ministry stated, noting that violence against women and girls are particularly reprehensible when committed by employers, partners and even relatives.

“The time has come to break through those walls of silence and turn legal norms into reality in women's lives,” the Ministry stated. “That means, society as a whole must take responsibility and work for enduring change in values and attitudes,” the Ministry added, pointing out that governments and international organizations must operate in close partnership with social services, voluntary and professional organizations, private sector and the broader public.

“It means we must all, women and men, work for a transformation in relations between women and men at all levels of society,” the Ministry stated, calling for women to make a change. “Let us not give up hope. We still have a battle ahead. We have to make a difference,” the Ministry stated.

As Guyana observes International Women’s Day, the Ministry said Guyanese must pause and reflect “on our achievements, our disappointments and our failures.” It said much attention must be given to gender issues from all sectors and there must be a commitment from all.”

The Ministry said the social upliftment and economic justices for women, especially at the "grass roots" level, must be resolved. “It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change,” the Ministry stated. “Until women and men work together to secure the rights and full potential of women, lasting solutions to the world's most serious social, economic and political problems are unlikely to be found,” the Ministry added.

Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon on February 25, 2008 launched a global campaign to end violence against women, counting on advocates of government, civil society and the UN to carry the message around the world.

The Ministry called on Guyanese to work towards this commitment, saying far too often the crimes go unpunished and the perpetrators walk free. “Let us help to reach our destination to end violence against women and girls everywhere,” the Ministry stated. “Let us commit and recommit ourselves in 2008 to work together as a people of a nation to bring about the changes we would like to achieve and the goals for a better future.” (Guyana Cronicle)
 

March 07, 2008

   Gangs benefiting from ex-servicemen

Luncheon

Oliver Hinckson

Government spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon said yesterday that he did not believe it was a secret that many of the criminal gangs have benefited from the presence of ex-servicemen. His assertion came during his post-Cabinet media briefing.

"I don't believe it is a secret that many of the gangs have benefited from the presence of former members of the joint services," Luncheon said as he started his response to queries surrounding the arrests of ex-army officers Oliver Hinckson and Dorian Massay.

The two men remained in custody up to press time last night and Luncheon told reporters he believed the men were being held in the context of criminal matters for which they were wanted.

In this context too Luncheon pointed to the notorious Linden London, known as `Blackie' saying, "I would point you to celebrated (people) like Blackie .. When this phenomenon had been taking place and contributed to the performance and the way in which the gangs operate."

Dorian Massay

However he did not make any nexus between the two arrests and that phenomenon. He noted that the two would also be questioned on the issue of the firearms find at Mahaicony in Berbice.

Luncheon said there were also other ex-servicemen who were wanted in relation to criminal charges adding that once their whereabouts are found, they, too, would be arrested.

The arrests of the two former GDF officers came just over a month after they attended a press conference which was hosted by Mayor Hamilton Green to address matters of the municipality.

Green had allowed Hinckson to address the media. When he spoke, Hinckson said he was doing so on behalf of the 20,000 ex-servicemen/soldiers in Guyana.

Hinckson said he and Massay as well as other soldiers felt like many other Guyanese: "dispossessed, disenfranchised and disillusioned." At the time, only the Lusignan massacre had taken place and Hinckson said he felt that people were suffering at the hands of arrogance, venality, greed, malice and spite and that the social fabric of society was being threatened.

Hinckson said he believed that the killings were more than a criminal problem and suggested that all the evidence pointed in that direction and in this regard recommended some form of discourse between government and the disenchanted. "There must be some discourse between the so-called insurgents, those with a grievance and those who have the capacity to assist in that negotiation," he said.

He told media operatives too that he and other ex-soldiers were prepared to risk their lives to carry out those negotiations. "We are prepared fully knowing that we do not have a tacit hand or an actual hand in any kind of mischief but we are prepared to risk our lives, venture into Buxton and assist in some kind of negotiation between the government and the disenchanted.

"When you apprehend and ultimately as it goes in this country, kill a suspect and that suspect is dressed in army fatigues and carried one of the most lethal assault weapons - the AK-47, he is no ordinary criminal. This man has a grievance," he had told reporters. He also said that he did not believe that the tactics being employed by army Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best are in the best long-term interest of this society.

He said the army veterans who have an association in Georgetown and presence throughout Guyana have had intelligence that very many young men with military experience are, "so devoid of hope and incensed that they are prepared to go to the bushes and wage a war of the flea." He further explained, "that means that they will bite you here and by the time you respond they will bite you there and wear you into the ground."

Hinckson also said he believed that there should be a peaceful resolution to the problem and suggested that negotiations must take place. It is in this vein that he suggested that government must sit with all the stakeholders in society and negotiate what share of the pie is for whom, but with due consideration of human rights and for the social contract between citizens and the government.

The two men were arrested on Wednesday morning during an early police operation. A green pick-up pulled up outside Hinckson's home, this newspaper was reliably informed, and two men in plainclothes disembarked. Minutes later they emerged with the two men who a source said did not resist and were also not handcuffed. This newspaper was also told that police were interested in finding out where the two men were on a few 'particular dates'.

The Police Public Relations Office when contacted yesterday confirmed the men remained in custody. A press statement on Wednesday night from the police had said that the two were arrested in connection with public statements made prior to the terrorism activities (inflicted) upon the Bartica community. The police are also searching for other persons allegedly linked to the event which preceded this "terrorist act" in Bartica.

Hinckson and ex-soldier James Gibson are currently before the court on joint charges of possession of arms and ammunition. They are jointly charged with having a .38 pistol, twelve .38 rounds and twenty-six 12-gauge shotgun cartridges on June 6, 2006 at Lot 115 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt. The duo had made their first appearance in court on June 12, 2006 and was subsequently released on $75,000 bail each. They denied the allegations that were made against them.

Two months before they were caught, the army issued wanted bulletins for them, following the disappearance of 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols from GDF headquarters. Massay, a GDF cadet who had been sent on a course to the UK, returned to Guyana a few years ago after being detained on several charges while on the course. He was later discharged from the army. (Heppilena Ferguson/Stabroek News)
 

Gunman robs Pearl's bakery

   Fires shot

Two men last night robbed Pearl's Bakery and Snackette on D'Urban Street of an undisclosed sum of cash at around 7.50 pm and put a bullet hole in the glass door as they departed on a motorcycle. Relating the incident to Stabroek News, a guard attached to the business said that one of the men came in with a bag, purporting to be a customer. He then pulled out a gun, pointed it to the cashier and demanded cash.

According to the eyewitness, the cashier was so taken aback that she lost her footing and fell backwards. But another staffer behind the counter yielded to the gunman's demands and handed over money - said to be less than $10,000 - in two bags.

The guard said that in his haste, the gunman dropped one of the bags and some of the money lay scattered on the floor. The guard was then marshalled into picking up the money while the gunman kept everyone in the store - about six persons - subdued on the floor.

On exiting the business place, the man stood outside and fired a round through the glass door. A director of the establishment, Earl Arthur, said that the round didn't hit anyone in the store and at the time of this newspaper's visit, nothing had been found.

Arthur said that this was the first time in seven years since the business opened that it was hit by robbers. At the bakery, police officers were seen carrying out their investigations, but amazingly, business continued as usual with customers buying bread and other 'bake-meats'. (Stabroek News)
 

March 06, 2008

   Five held in East Coast murder

Murdered Jairam Balgobin

Five persons are in custody following the brutal murder Tuesday night of 46 year-old Jairam Balgobin of Pigeon Island Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara. Police said Balgobin’s body bore marks of violence to his neck and face.

His sister, Hansrani Balgobin, 41, told the Guyana Chronicle that her brother’s throat was slit with a cutlass about 17:00 hrs on Tuesday afternoon by a man who is known to the family. I was in bed about (23:00 hrs) when three policemen came to my house and asked me questions about my brother,” she cried. The woman said that the ranks even asked if her sibling was a thief.

She added that her brother was a labourer employed at a chicken farm but was in the habit of imbibing heavily. Spite being this way, he was not a troublemaker,” she explained. Mrs. Balgobin pointed out that her brother used to live with her, her six children and husband but did odd jobs around the neighbourhood and insisted he was not a thief.

The policemen told me that my brother was chopped on the shoulder and he had to get surgery before they left, but I did not know he was killed until later,” she cried. Balgobin was murdered at a house he frequents at Success Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara, a short distance from where he lived.

At the time of his demise, Balgobin and a group of people who reside at the premises were reportedly arguing over money when he was chopped and got his throat slit. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Scottish teacher died from multiple injuries

                                                       Pamela McCarroll

A post mortem examination on the body of Scottish teacher, Pamela McCarroll, revealed that she died from multiple injuries as a result of a fall. The young woman, a volunteer attached to Project Trust, died tragically when she fell on Monday while rock-climbing at Tutuwau Falls, South Central Rupununi.

The 18-year-old had a stint of one year in Guyana as a teacher attached to St. Ignatius Secondary School, Lethem, and was expected home in August this year. Her lifeless body was flown to the city in a body bag to the Lyken Funeral Parlour about 16:00 h on Monday.

Police said the teacher and a friend went rock-climbing about 14:00 h Monday when she fell and sustained injuries but was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Lethem Regional Hospital.

McCarroll was one of 5,500 volunteers to twenty-five countries annually and is widely respected as one of the most experienced and professional gap year organisations in Britain. McCarroll’s body will be flown to her homeland for burial. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

   Double-murder suspect returned by Suriname

Suriname authorities yesterday handed over murder suspect Odinga Greene to local authorities after nearly two years of him eluding the Guyana police. Greene, who was previously charged, convicted and later freed of the murder of Sandra Harvey at Wisroc, Linden two years ago, is wanted by police in connection with two murders in the Linden community.

Police had been looking for Greene for sometime now though it was rumoured he was in Suriname. In a press release issued last night, the police listed four addresses for Greene- Leopold Street; South Ruimveldt, New Amsterdam and Wisroc. (Stabroek News)
 

   Bartica slaughter gun found at Wismar

More than two weeks after the massacre at Bartica that left twelve dead, the Joint Services now have the first tangible bit of evidence that the gang escaped via Region 10 - a shotgun stolen from a businessman.

Operation Restore Order, which had extended to Bartica and later to the Region Ten mining community, unearthed an abandoned camp at Bucktown, Wismar five days ago that was the likely hideout of the men who rampaged through Bartica leaving a bloody trail and a community reeling in shock just weeks after eleven persons were gunned down at Lusignan.

The Joint Services in a press release last night said a 12-gauge shotgun that has been confirmed as being one of those stolen from the home of Bartica miner, Chunilall Baboolall on February 17 was found in the area surrounding the camp.

During searches at the camp, a Guyana passport and NIS card in the name of Baboolall were found along with a quantity of eating utensils, a searchlight, a green tarpaulin; a hacksaw blade, and an empty plastic water container among other articles.

Residents at Linden were in the dark last night over the findings though one resident said there were suspicions that the men might have been hiding out in the community. Bucktown was described as an isolated area that can provide the kind of cover the Bartica gang would have been seeking at the time.

Just two days ago the resident recalled that two strange men hired a taxi from McKenzie to Christianburg, which is in close proximity to Bucktown, Wismar, and upon arriving there held the driver at gunpoint. The men stripped the driver of his valuables and argued over killing him but they fled leaving the driver in his car, unharmed.

A large contingent of military personnel had descended on Wisroc, Linden shortly after the massacre at Bartica combing the area for any traces of the gang. The search was abandoned some three hours after. The Linden resident this newspaper spoke to last night said there was always a sense in the community that an adequate amount of time was not spent in the area during that very critical period.

Prior to the Joint Services entering Linden, information was received that a number of men robbed a truck that came out of the interior the day following the Bartica attack. The men took cash and jewellery from the persons in the truck but no shots were fired.

At the time, speculation was rife that the men might have been those from the Bartica massacre. But a Joint Services presence was to be established in the community with a view to preventing the gunmen from moving through the area using either river or road networks.

St Mary's

A 75 horse power engine found drifting at St. Mary's, a hinterland community a few miles from Bartica, had indicated that at least some of the men fled south down the river. The gunmen would have continued south to the Sheribana crossing, which is a gateway to the Guyana/Brazil border town of Lethem.

There are reported timber trails along the route heading to Sheribana that are used by persons familiar with them, trails that can lead to the Wisroc area. Other reports had suggested that the St. Mary's boat may have been a decoy and that the men instead fled north after leaving Bartica into the Atlantic. This would mean that they allowed one of the boats to drift off in one direction while they went the opposite way.

It is estimated that between fifteen to twenty men carried out the attack at Bartica. Source said three of the men were left to guard the river while more than ten others assaulted the community in the hour-long attack.

The police outpost was first attacked and three officers were killed while two others were seriously wounded. The gang of gunmen carted off several firearms and ammunition from two strong boxes at the outpost. CB&R Mining was then attacked and it was there the gang shot dead security guard, Irving Ferreira before escaping with 12 rifles and a quantity of gold among other items.

The other persons killed in the attack were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes; Dexter Adrian; and policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne and Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasin; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara, who were shot execution style at the Transport and Harbours Stelling. (Stabroek News)
 

March 05, 2008

Mother fears missing hotel owner........

   ....may have been murdered

Roselaine Hall

The mother of the missing Alpha Hotel owner fears that her daughter may have been murdered and said she is disappointed with the lack of communication from the police here.

Roselaine Hall has been missing for over a month now and so far the only trace of her discovered by the police was her vehicle which was found at Parika. Since then the police have said nothing else about her disappearance.

Hall was last seen in the company of her ex-husband five Wednesdays ago. Later that very day staff reported that the ex-husband had returned to the hotel and advised staff that Hall had gone to Suriname and that she had handed him a power of attorney document giving him control of the hotel.

However many days passed and a missing person report was subsequently made.

A wanted bulletin was subsequently issued for the ex-husband, Alex Barker, who has also since disappeared. Hall's mother, Joyce McPherson-Hall who lives in the US told Stabroek News that she calls her daughter's cellular phone just to hear her voice on her answering machine.

The woman said she is disappointed with the pace of investigations into her daughter's disappearance, saying that she was not hearing anything from the police

Roselaine Hall is also a United States citizen by birth. "She could not have disappeared into thin air," the woman said. The woman said it seems as though her daughter was murdered and the police cannot find her body, neither can they find Barker.

"If my daughter has died we just want people to tell us where her body is so we can have a proper funeral, she deserves that," the woman said. Hall's disappearance has been very hard for her mother, who is not sure whether coming to Guyana would be the best move at this time. "It's hard every day getting by and wondering if we will ever find out what has happened to her. I just can't give up hope of someone coming forward with information," she said.

Hall has been living in Guyana since 2004 following the murder of her father Byron Dick, the original owner of all the Alpha Hotel outlets. Staff members of the hotel as well as her mother have confirmed that she suffered abuse. According to McPherson-Hall, her daughter was also in the process of completing a divorce from her current husband Romeo Rockerfeller.

Rockerfeller was also held and questioned by police following the woman's disappearance but has since been released. He was however placed before the courts on charges relating to the falsifying of travel documents. He was reportedly out of the country at the time the woman went missing and it was he who contacted the woman's mother in the US to advise them of the situation.

McPherson-Hall said prior to that telephone call she had never even heard the voice of her son-in-law. The woman has also questioned the whereabouts of her daughter's belongings which were all located at the hotel where Hall also lived. (Stabrek News)
 

   Suriname-based seaman wanted over stolen boat

Tribhowan Persaud

Police yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for Tribhowan Persaud, a Guyanese who currently resides in neighbouring Suriname.

The police said Persaud is wanted for questioning in connection with the larceny of a boat and engine. The bulletin said he is a seaman, aged 44, and is 180 cm tall with black hair and brown eyes.

The police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Tribhowan Persaud to contact them on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-2700, 226-2917, 226-4585, 225-2317, 227-4065, 226-6978, 225-3650, 225-8196, 227-1270, 227-1611, 227-1149, 225-6941-3, 225-6945, 225-6946, 333-2151-4, 229-2700-5, 268-2328, 444-3512, 444-3351, and 771 -5004. The police say all information would be treated in strict confidence. (Stabroek News)
 

   Criminal gangs politically motivated

Minister Rohee tells National Assembly during budget debate

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, is of the view that criminal gangs that have been carrying out ruthless killings and robberies over the last few months were politically motivated.

In rebutting claims by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) during the 2008 National Budget debate that criminals are often bred from a society that is poverty stricken, Minister Rohee acknowledged that while there is some correlation between crime and poverty, in Guyana’s context, one must make the distinction between crimes of necessity and psychopathic criminality with an implicit political agenda.

He said the latter type of crimes has nothing to do with poverty and these are certainly no ordinary criminals who, as some claim, have ‘just a cause’. “It would be incorrect and absurd to claim that criminal gangs influenced and indoctrinated with certain political motives have a cause that grew out of poverty. Actually, it grew out of a peculiar political culture that has been with us for sometime.”

He added, “After all, how can we explain their activities in the context of the criminal enterprise with heavily armed AK-47s and other automatic and semi automatic weapons, the hiring and paying of look outs and informants, as well as financing persons to provide transportation to move stolen weapons? Certainly these are no ordinary criminals who, as some claim, have a just cause.”

The Home Affairs Minister pointed out that the men are para-military operatives who have their dubious political/ideological masters to guide them in their killer operations, whether it be at Lusignan, Bartica or any part of the country. The Minister noted that the administration is cognizant that there is some connection between crime and poverty but in Guyana’s context a difference must be made between crimes of necessity and crimes with political motivation.

“We must make the distinction between crimes of necessity where persons with limited options to eke out a living, commit a crime out of necessity such as larceny from the person, shoplifting, praedial larceny and other petty crimes and psychopathic criminality with an implicit political agenda. The latter type of crimes has nothing to do with poverty,” the Home Affairs Minister emphasised.

Against this backdrop, Minister Rohee said there must be full support given to the Joint Services in pursuit of these men. He noted that there must be a holistic approach to fighting crime, a call the administration has been echoing for some time now and has been pursuing.

Minister Rohee, in his presentation, further stated that it is unfortunate that the opposition has refused to lend a helping hand in the crime fight and rather has chosen to stand on the outside and criticise. “This is not good enough because if the government and its Ministers were to be in a position to be guided by anything we have none. We came prepared, as we always do, to listen to alternatives, to constructive proposals, the various options and recommendations, but regrettably we heard none.”

“So Mr. Speaker, we have to stay the course and to indeed continue advancing the transformation agenda,” Minister Rohee asserted. This year, the security and defence sectors have been allocated $13.7B to improve their capabilities which will enable a safer environment for all Guyanese. $900M of this will be used for the purchase of two helicopters and other equipment and gear for the Joint Services.

Among other actions that will be taken with collaborative work with the multilateral and bilateral agencies are:

•improving the capability of rapid response systems to serious crimes;

•upgrading communication systems and expanding access to police and other databases;

•improving intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities;

•intensifying training in special operations for selected Joint Services members;

•equipping crime fighting forces with appropriate transportation and technologically appropriate equipment to enhance their capacity on the ground;

•improving the oversight of the sector by strengthening the Office of Professional Responsibility, Police Complaints Authority and Police Service Commission.

Additionally, $65 million will be expended to expand and equip community policing groups in order to support the national crime fighting efforts.

Meanwhile, Rohee also pointed out that his ministry has done a comparative analysis of, among other documents, the citizens’ security programme, the security sector reform action plan, the Symmonds report, the disciplined forces commission report and the Scottish police and Centrex report. He refuted claims that these studies and reports were not taken into account when the Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP), for instance, were formulated.

Rohee pointed out that last November, the government tabled the SSRAP in the National Assembly, which refers to a holistic approach based on a comprehensive threat assessment’. Alluding to the crime situation, the minister pointed out that every nation at some point in their history has faced one challenge after another. He declared that we must not run away from the challenges faced but we must confront them as a nation and above all, as one.

Rohee also noted that transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, the illicit weapon trade and trafficking in persons continue to pose a serious threat to security and sovereignty of nations around the world, including Guyana. Guyana has responded to this threat by deepening its cooperation with the international community particularly the United States, CARICOM and other neighbouring countries as well as Latin America, he said.

Also, the administration is constantly working to deepen security and intelligence cooperation with CARICOM and South American neighbours, he added. (Guyana Cronicle)
 

March 04, 2008

   Amelia's Ward house destroyed in early morning fire

The remains of the Amelia's Ward home after yesterday morning's fire.

South Amelia's Ward residents came out in their numbers to form a bucket brigade in an attempt to save a house that was ablaze at some minutes to two yesterday morning, but their mission failed.

And the occupant of the house, Alan Fraser, a re-migrant, who was at home at the time had to make his escape by jumping through a second-storey window, leaving all household items to the blaze.

Neighbours were awakened to screams of "fire" early yesterday morning and according to one of them, her family was aroused by the sound of what seemed to be rustling zinc sheets. "I decided to look out the window to see if the house was being broken into only to see blazing fire," one neighbour recounted.

He said he quickly alerted other members of his household who in turn summoned the fire service and neighbours. Fraser was not at the scene when this newspaper arrived later in the day, but his brother who lives just across the road said he was asleep and was awakened by the sound of what appeared to be the moving of scrap iron.

"I decided to get up and check to see if everything was okay with my bus cause only recently dem man clean-up meh bus carrying away many parts and accessories." He said when his wife noticed him peering through the window, she decided to venture out of the house only to discover his brother's house on fire. She too alerted the fire department through the Linden Police Station.

Stabroek News understands that the house, which belonged to Fraser's parents, had been unoccupied for some time until Fraser returned to Guyana. The house was said to have been well furnished with modern household appliances, furniture and computers. Fraser, a computer technician, had several computers belonging to individuals in the house. (Stabroek News/Cathy Wilson photo)
 

   Woman compensates victims of pit bulls' mauling

Fern Brown

Fern Brown, the woman who allegedly loosed two pit bulls on children in the Tucville area last Friday, yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court and the matter was subsequently settled.

The 37-year-old vendor who sells food and other items in front of the Tucville Primary School pleaded not guilty to two charges of being the owner of vicious dogs and suffering them to be at large without being muzzled.

Brown's lawyer explained to the court that his client was not the owner of the dogs and they belonged to her nephew. According to the attorney, Brown had no control over the dogs and it was arranged for them to be removed immediately after the incident.

The dogs were moved to Suriname, Brown said. One of the victims of the pit bulls, Faye Tinch, told the court that she lives close to the accused and on the day in question she was sitting on her stairs and saw the entire episode unfold. Tinch said some children were playing cricket and their ball accidentally got knocked into Brown's yard. The children went to retrieve the ball from the yard after they got no response from Brown, she said.

Tinch further explained that Brown was annoyed by this and she went downstairs and let the dogs loose on the children who managed to escape. Later, Tinch said, two employees of the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), who were also present in court yesterday, arrived and asked to be directed to where the owner of the dogs lived.

The woman said she escorted the employees to Brown's house and it was there she saw Pluvair Belfield being attacked and she was later attacked herself along with the GSPCA employees. Brown explained to Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle that she had compensated the victims and she was further ordered to compensate one of the GSPCA employees before the matter was finally settled. (Stabroek News)
 

March 01, 2008

   Woman held after loosing pit bulls on children

Passers-by, GSPCA workers mauled

Faye Tinch at her home last night after being treated at the hospital. She was attacked by a pit bull and bitten on her hand and leg.

Chaos broke out in Tuvcille yesterday when a resident released two pit bulls on a group of children and the dogs ended up mauling passers-by and later, two employees of the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).

The dogs, which were described as "huge and vicious", were let loose on four children who were playing cricket and reportedly annoying the resident because a ball kept bouncing into her yard.

But the children fled the scene, jumping into a drain and climbing over fences, managing clean getaways.

Faye Tinch, Pluvair Belfield and two employees of GSPCA were not that fortunate as the animals pounced on them in two separate attacks, severely wounding Tinch whose flesh was hanging from her leg after the mauling.

Police arrested the female resident of Critchlow Circle, Tucville pending investigations. Up to press time last night she was still in custody.

Residents at Critchlow Circle condemned the attacks yesterday saying the resident's action was uncalled for. They said the children were pesky, but pointed out that this was no reason for two pit bulls to be set on them.

Pluvair Belfield at his home last night following the attack.

"It is shameful and madness for a woman to watch from her verandah and look on as her dogs bite people like they are food. I cannot imagine what might have happened if those dogs had caught those children, those tiny little things," a resident said.

Speaking with Stabroek News after being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and sent away, Faye Tinch of Critchlow Circle said she was at home when she heard a loud noise. When she looked out, she said, the owner of the dogs was on her verandah and "behaving bad".

Tinch, who is the aunt of the children at the centre of the incident, said that from her stairs she was able to hear the threatening remarks being thrown at her nephews and nieces. She said one of the children had gone into the woman's yard to retrieve a ball and this really angered the woman.

She said the children stood on the road mocking the woman in a way and this is what led to her rushing downstairs and releasing the dogs. It was around 11.50 am and two schools in the area were about to break for lunch. According to Tinch, it was a disaster in the making.

The children, sensing what was about to happen, fled the scene, two of them jumping into a nearby drain, while the other two jumped over a fence to escape. Belfield who has a disability had just made a purchase at a shop and was making his way home when he was attacked. He managed to fight off a further attack by jumping into a drain.

Tinch said the dogs were then called back into the yard but the woman left her gate open. A report was made to the GSPCA and two employees were dispatched to the area. When the men arrived Tinch took them to the home and one of them approached the gate to speak with the woman who looked out. She said the GSPCA employee identified himself and his colleague and was in the middle of asking the woman a question when the dogs burst through the gate.

"The dog jumped on the man and the other one jumped on his co-worker. I started to run when one of them jumped on them and started biting my foot. I tried fighting with it but it was too big," Tinch related. One of the GSPCA employees was bitten in his face and on his leg while the other received a few bruises. Tinch sustained injuries to her leg and hand. The woman said that she has lost all feeling in the affected hand.

After the second attack, the dogs went back into the yard and the woman locked the gate. She then emerged from her home and went about her business leaving Tinch and the two men lying injured on the road, according to Tinch. The police were then called in and they arrested the woman. Shortly afterwards, a relative of the woman turned up and took the animals away. The administrator of the GSPCA office on Orange Walk was not in a position to comment on the matter yesterday as she said that a report had to be made to her superior.

Ganelle Thomas, a relative of Belfield, said she was alerted to the attack shortly after it occurred and decided to pay the woman a visit. Thomas said when she got there the woman was very hostile and refused to have a conversation with her. According to her, the woman showed no concern for the injuries her relative sustained.

Thomas said Belfield had an accident several years ago, which left him with mental problems. She said that he was aware of the attack but did not complain or say anything. When he got home the wound was visible but Belfield had nothing to say. "I went to her because he cannot speak for himself and she behaved so terrible. She had no respect for anyone and that is what made me angry. I left without saying anything much," Thomas added. (Iana Seales /Stabroek News)

 

US slams Guyana on drug master plan

   Cites weak border controls

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit yesterday dumped a total of 202 kg of cocaine in the Atlantic. The substance was accumulated over the last two years and represents confiscation from recently concluded court cases including the cocaine in corilla and cocai

While noting increased cocaine seizures and a UK-funded security plan, the annual US State Department report on drug control has criticized Guyana for not effectively implementing its drug master plan two years after it was launched.

The 2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) released yesterday said that more than two years after launching its National Drug Strategy Master Plan for 2005-2009, the Government of Guyana has not effectively implemented it.

It states too that neither the GOG nor the various drug enforcement bodies of the U.S. have dedicated the resources to determine the quantity of illegal drugs flowing through Guyana. "All projections are speculative based on the few seizures made.

In the absence of both sound data and more robust DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)/INL (Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs) involvement, the U.S. will not augment resources for investigation and interdiction in Guyana. Instead, it will continue to channel any future assistance to initiatives that demonstrate success in treating substance abusers," the report says.

It added that the U.S. will also continue to use its diplomatic tools to encourage the GOG to organize an effective counter narcotics programme, especially within the context of the British-funded overhaul of the security sector.

In volume one of the report, which deals with narcotics, the US Department of State said that cooperation among law enforcement bodies is fragmented and minimally productive. "Weak border controls and limited resources for law enforcement allow drug traffickers to move shipments via river, air, and land without meaningful resistance," the report says.

The report said that Guyana is a transit country for cocaine, and to a lesser degree marijuana. "Guyana's vast expanse of unpopulated forest and savannahs offers ample cover for drug traffickers and smugglers. Government counter-narcotics efforts are undermined by inadequate resources for law enforcement, poor coordination among law enforcement agencies, an inefficient judiciary, and a colonial-era legal system badly in need of modernization," the INCSR says.

"Murders, kidnappings, and other violent crimes commonly believed to be linked with narcotics trafficking are regularly reported in the Guyanese media. Guyana produces high-grade cannabis and is not known to produce, trade, or transit precursor chemicals on a large scale," it says.

The report points out that the positive steps of 2007, notwithstanding, the Government of Guyana has accomplished few of the principal goals laid out in its "ambitious" 2005 National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

"The Joint Intelligence Coordination Centre (JICC), the formation of which was a central element of the 2005 NDSMP, is defunct. In its place, a task force covering narcotics and illegal weapons has been assembled by the Minister for Home Affairs and meets monthly, but there remains limited productive interaction or intelligence sharing among the organizations involved," says the report.

The report added that despite the lack of adequate resources, poor inter-agency coordination, and allegations of corruption, 2007 saw modest improvements in enforcement at the working level. "In 2007, Guyanese law enforcement agencies seized 167 kilogrammes (kgs) of cocaine, a nearly threefold increase over the amount seized in 2006, but mostly due to one large seizure.

In May, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) seized 106 kgs of cocaine hidden in dried fish glue at a home near Georgetown, and arrested four men in connection with the operation; one of these individuals was sentenced in November to ten years in prison and fined $1.2M. In July, police arrested Terrence Sugrim, an accused drug trafficker who had been indicted in New York federal court a few weeks earlier; he is appealing his possible extradition to the US," the report noted.

According to the report, Guyana's counter narcotics activities are encumbered by the peculiarities of a British colonial-era legal system that has not been updated to reflect the needs of modern-day law enforcement. "There are no laws that support plea bargaining, wiretapping, or the use of DNA evidence. Nor are there laws against racketeering or conspiracy," it says.

It says that even when more contemporary crime fighting tools are available to one law enforcement body, they are not necessarily available to others. "At Guyana's international airport, for example, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) operates surveillance cameras to help thwart tax fraud.

But the cameras are not well-placed to aid counter narcotics operations, video footage is not shared with narcotics authorities and it is not clear that it would be admissible in drug-related court proceedings. In all cases, law enforcement agencies are hamstrung by meagre personnel budgets. There are no routine patrols of the numerous land entry points on the 1,800 miles of border with Venezuela, Brazil, and Suriname," the report finds.

The US Department of State said in the report that the GOG has not identified or confronted major drug traffickers and their organizations. "While the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Narcotics Branch and CANU arrested dozens of drug couriers at Guyana's international airport en route to the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, the arrests were limited to individuals with small amounts of marijuana, crack cocaine or powder cocaine, usually on charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking," the report states.

It stated that there is no evidence that the Government of Guyana or senior Government officials encourage or facilitate the illicit production, processing, shipment or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.

"News media routinely report on instances of corruption reaching to high levels of government that are not investigated and thus go unpunished, but no conclusive evidence is available to back up these claims. USG analysts believe drug trafficking organizations in Guyana continue to elude law enforcement agencies through bribes and coercion, but substantiating information is anecdotal at best," it states.

Although Guyana is party to the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption (IACAC), it has yet to fully implement its provisions, such as seizure of property obtained through corruption, it states, noting that Guyana is not a party to the UN Convention against Corruption.

The INCSR states that marijuana is sold and consumed openly in Guyana, despite frequent arrests for possessing small amounts of cannabis. "Sources within the GOG and a local NGO note that consumption of all psychotropic substances in Guyana is increasing, with a particularly dramatic rise in the use of Ecstasy (MDMA)," the report states, adding that marijuana use has been seen among children as young as eleven years old.

"Guyana's ability to deal with drug abusers is hampered by the modest financial resources to support rehabilitation programs. Guyana only has two facilities that treat substance abuse -the Salvation Army and the Phoenix Recovery Centre. There are no programs to deal with substance abuse in the prisons," the report states.

The report has been awaited with interest in recent years because of the drug situation here. Its mention of businessman Roger Khan in the 2006 report is thought to have triggered a series of events leading to the businessman's indictment in the US.

Money laundering

The study found that Guyana is neither an important regional nor an offshore financial centre, nor does it have any free trade zones. It says that money laundering is perceived as a serious problem, and has been linked to trafficking in drugs, firearms, and persons, as well as to corruption and fraud.

"The Government of Guyana (GOG) made no arrests or prosecutions for money laundering in 2007. Guyana currently has inadequate legal and enforcement mechanisms to combat money laundering, although legislation tabled in Parliament would enhance the GOG's anti-money laundering regime," volume two of the report says.

The report says that the Government of Guyana's anti-money laundering regime is rendered ineffective by other major structural weaknesses of the 2000 Money Laundering Prevention Act.

"While the MLPA provides for the seizure of assets derived as proceeds of crime, guidelines for implementing seizures and forfeitures have never been established. "Conviction for a predicate offence is considered necessary before a money laundering conviction can be obtained, and the list of such predicate offences is cursory," the report points out.

It says that while the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) may request additional information from obligated entities, it does not have access to law enforcement information or the authority to exchange information with its foreign counterparts. "These limitations collectively stifle the analytical and investigative capabilities of the FIU and law enforcement agencies. As a result of these legislative weaknesses, there have been no money laundering prosecutions or convictions to date."

New money laundering legislation tabled in 2007 provides for oversight of export industries, the insurance industry, real estate, and alternative remittance systems, and sets forth the penalties for non-compliance. It also establishes the FIU as an independent body that answers only to the President, and defines in detail its role and powers. "The draft legislation was tabled in Parliament in late 2007, but its passage in the near future is uncertain," the report states.

"The Government of Guyana should pass the draft legislation on money laundering and terrorist financing that is currently before the Parliament. The passage of this legislation would extend preventive measures to a far wider range of reporting entities, including casinos and designated non-financial businesses and professions. The draft legislation would also provide greater resources and critical autonomy for the FIU, enable the FIU to access law enforcement data, and ensure that the FIU has the operational capacity to meet the membership requirements of the Egmont Group," the INCSR states. (Stabroek News)

 

Boat operator plunges to death

   After retrieving body from river

Desmond Dowding

A popular Vreed-en-Hoop boat operator, who assisted the police in recovering a body from the Demerara River, died in a freak accident a short while later yesterday.

Desmond Dowding called `Dread' of Jetty, Railway Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop plunged to his death at the Transport and Harbours stelling some time after noon. Dowding had just pulled the body to land and decided to take a plunge back into the river to wash himself off.

He broke his neck on the dive. Reports are that it initially appeared as though Dowding was joking when he plunged and came up with his head tilted to one side. But when he started going under an alarm was raised and someone went to his rescue but it was too late.

Dowding was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was rushed within minutes of being rescued. Stabroek News was told that the man who went to rescue Dowding sustained a gash to his hand.
This led people to begin saying that the body was cursed. The name `Dread' was on every lip at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling and the surrounding areas yesterday. While some expressed anger and fought back emotions, others wept openly for the man who they said was "a man among men at the stelling".

"Dread' woulda plunge in da river fuh you, me, he, she, anybody cause that is de type ah man he was. He don't play fuh help people and from de time he see dah man floating he de done decide fuh go and get he," a friend said fighting back tears. Boat operator, Sylvannus Sinclair who witnessed the accident told this newspaper that sometime after 10 am he, Dowding and a few other operators spotted a body floating in the river. They alerted the police who arrived shortly after.

Sinclair said the body was hooked in a clump of bushes so when the police came they had to go out in a boat and tie it then pull it close to the stelling. When the body reached the stelling they saw it was a man with dreadlocks but no one recognized who he was. The police wanted someone to go in the river and bring the dead man in so Dowding volunteered but for a fee. He was offered $3,000 and he went in and got the man up. Sinclair said they decided not to use the area where the boat offloads because passengers would have been greeted with a dead body as they got off the boat.

"The police decide to use the front of the stelling so `Dread' went around and bring the man up. But as soon as he come up and collect the money, he run and plunge in the river just like that. He say something about washing off and that was it. Those were his last words," Sinclair related. Dowding, after seeing the body into the hearse that had arrived at the stelling, ran off and took a plunge back into the river. There was some hard mud around where he plunged.

Sinclair said the whole thing was so shocking no one knew what to say right away except that Dowding was dead. He said the police and everyone were just speechless. Up to press time last night the dead man was unidentified and the police had not released any information regarding the body being found. Sinclair recalled that while Dowding was bringing in the body he was talking to the dead man saying words to the effect that it was time for the man to go home to his maker. "He busy telling de man how he going home, he going home and he gone home too," Sinclair said.

Over at Dowding's home, family and friends were gathered around his mother, Gloria Murray comforting her. The elderly woman fainted on learning of her son's death. She was later admitted to the WDRH suffering from hypertension. After she was released some three hours later, Murray struggled to stay calm and repeatedly screamed her son's name. "`Dread' is how you gon do me this? `Dread' why? Why? Ah only see you this morning and we talk and now ya dead `Dread'? Ya dead?" the mother cried.

Around her, family and friends gathered urging her to be calm but many were also crying. Dowding's younger brothers asked between sobs how they would continue without him. His wife who showed up shortly after was unable to say much. Dowding leaves to mourn his wife, a son and several brothers, his mother and his father. (Iana Seales/Stabroek News)