Saturday June 15, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Taxi driver compliments CANU Defence counsel tries to officers then heads to jail Dweive Kant Ramdass murder
introduce torture claim
Detective Sergeant Suraj Singh yesterday maintained that neither he nor any of the ranks in his presence assaulted Deon Greenidge nor any of the other men accused of killing Dweive Kant Ramdass. Singh was at the time being crossed examined by defense counsel Latchmie Rahamat. Greenidge, along with Sherwin Hart and Devon Gordon, are all charged with the 2009 murder of Ramdass, who was a gold miner. Rahamat was posing questions to Singh about whether he saw if Greenidge had any visible injuries that would suggest that he was beaten. “I’m putting to you Mr. Singh, that Deon Greenidge could have hardly stepped on his left leg and his right arm also had injuries” Ms Rahamat suggested to Singh. However the witness maintained that he never saw anything that would suggest that he “Greenidge” was beaten. The lawyer further put to
the witness that a caution statement which was given by Greenidge and read by Singh was a “deliberate fabrication” stating that the accused was incapacitated due to the “alleged beating”. The witness was further questioned about a station diary which certain information was supposedly written inside. According to Singh, he had made several checks for the diary last month but did not locate it. Rahamat sought to suggest to the witness that without that station diary, there was no way to verify his claim of what Greenidge said. Singh however did not admit to what the lawyer was saying. He said that he related what was translated. The next witness to be called after Singh was woman Corporal Yvonne Manjet. Manjet is stationed at the Parika Station and she is one of the first police officers to come into contact with the accused men. Manjet said that she
checked a bag containing $5.7m which was in the possession of one Vanda Adolphus. Manjet said that it was Deputy Superintendent Terrace Paul, who later came and arrested the suspects and the woman. The matter is expected to continue next week at the Suddie High Court before Justice Franklyn Holder. Senior State Prosecutor Judith Gildharie-Mursalin is presenting the case for the state. Attorney at law Latchmie Rahamat is representing the three men. The former army ranks were manning the Coast Guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River, when they allegedly confronted Ramdass in a boat at the Parika Stelling. They allegedly forced him into their boat and took him to another location in the river where they relieved him of $17M in cash, which he was carrying in a box to Bartica for his employer, who operated a gold and diamond business in the city.
Special equipment to test bulk fuel acquired by GNBS
GNBS representative explaining the use of the “Seraphin Test Measure” Government in collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) purchased a 500- liter mobile Volumetric Field Standard Test Measure used to verify bulk terminal tests at various gas stations. The “Seraphin Test Measure” will be used for the calibration of liquid petroleum meters. Seraphin measures are designed to ensure there is no chance for air entrapment, as well as
providing a complete and consistant drain. Accuracy and repeatability are the keys to the measurable success. Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai, said that the test measure will be available for private and public sector verifications. He said that persons have also complained about petrol terminal supplying an inadequate amount of fuel, so in an effort for transparency
in the sector the bureau acquired the device to measure the petrol terminal. Acting Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Ms. Evadnie Inniss, said that the test measure cost $6.7M and the government assisted greatly with funding while the bureau also contributed. She explained that there is a cost recovery in place and fees attached to usage of the services.
…after ‘coughing up’ accomplice
Obead Brazilio
Andrew Michael Park
Yesterday, a 41-year-old man who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, related to the court that he would like to congratulate the officers at CANU (Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit) for the good work they are doing. When Adrian Michael Park also known as “Parks” who resides at 1082 (B12) Pattensen, Turkeyen, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry, many were shocked at how candid he was. On Thursday, last, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the defendant had in his possession, 3.124 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. When confronted in court Park placed his right hand across his chest and said, “I am guilty.” The Chief Magistrate then explained to the defendant that the offence carries a minimum of three years’ imprisonment and a maximum of five years along with a fine of $30,000. He was then asked if knowing this, he still wants to maintain his plea, and to this, the defendant said, “Yes
your worship. I wish to maintain my plea.” According to the Prosecution, on the said date, the defendant, who is a taxi driver, went to the Cheddi Jagan Airport to travel to New York via Caribbean Airlines on flight BW524. About 03:15 am, the defendant checked in a black suitcase and went to the departure lounge. At 04:30 am, C.A.N.U officers, after receiving information, approached Parks. The officers then asked him to identify his suitcase and requested to search it. During the search, officers then found the illegal substance which they suspected to be cocaine at the bottom of the suitcase. The defendant was then taken for questioning. Parks told the officers that he has knowledge of it and added that the cocaine was given to him by someone to take to the U.S.A and that upon arrival someone would receive the case. He added that when the drop would have turned out successful, he would receive US$5,000. The defendant was then cautioned and charged for the said offence.
“A guy name Odel who gave me the case tell me that the cocaine was baked into the material and guaranteed me that it would not be found. But when the officers showed me where it was, it was just sitting at the bottom of the case in its powdered form,” said Park. Immediately, CANU got information that Obead Quail Brazilio of 36 John and Joseph Pollydore Streets, Lodge, Georgetown had knowledge of the cocaine. Brazilio was identified as a businessman and CANU wants anyone with information on the whereabouts of Brazilio to contact the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) on telephone Nos. 227-03507 or 226-0431 Meanwhile, in the wake of the arrest and seizure, the suitcase containing the narcotic was escorted to CANU headquarters where other information was also obtained. Adrian Park said that “this was not supposed to happen. I didn’t know that the cocaine was at the bottom of the suitcase. I am pleading with you; I have six kids and other financial difficulties that I am trying to get off my chest. I humbly apologize to my brotherhood and my sisterhood. Park added that he cooperated with the officers completely and gave them all the information they needed. Prosecutor Oswald Massiah told the court that investigations are still ongoing prior to the defendant’s arrest. Taking into consideration, that the defendant has six children, two loans along with all the other facts that were presented to the court and the prevalence of the amount being trafficked, the Chief Magistrate then sentenced Park and ordered that he pays a fine of $30,000.