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thursday, june 9, 2016 | guyana-times.com
hunt other suspects 10 arrested after cocaine Police in KN grenade attack found in frozen fish at CJIA T en persons were taken into Police custody after a quantity of cocaine was unearthed in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara, on Wednesday morning. According to reports, at about 02:00h, members of the Police narcotic branch intercepted over six kilograms of cocaine in several boxes. The boxes were found among other cargo during a routine check by Police. Guyana Times understands that of the 10 arrested, six are ramp attendants attached to a handling service at the main port of entry. The others are reportedly shipping agents. The consignment of frozen fish was destined for the United States of America. The seizure comes as the Guyana Police Force intensifies its efforts to clamp down on the scourge
The cocaine found stashed in the frozen fish
of drug trafficking. Police are continuing their investigations. Only last month, Sarfraz Jalaladeen, 30, of Riverview, Ruimveldt,
Georgetown, was busted at the CJIA with almost 12 pounds of cocaine in milk powder packets. He was sentenced to serve four years in prison and fined
$16.3 million. Reports are that the welder who was travelling for the first time to the United States via a Caribbean Airlines flight was intercepted by members of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit after they became suspicious after noticing several packets of what appeared to be powdered milk in the man’s suitcases. A closer examination revealed that the milk packets were resealed and a further check was undertaken. It was then that the ranks realised that the contents of the packets were cocaine. He was arrested and taken to CANU headquarters where the illegal substance was weighed and proved to be just over 6kg. The suspect told CANU ranks that he was promised US$7000 to traffic the illegal substance to New York but did not say if he was paid an advance.
Taxi driver beaten, robbed
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driver attached to the Green Ice Taxi Service was on Wednesday morning found lying in the back seat of his motor car suspected to have been beaten and robbed after he was hijacked on Tuesday evening. The car was found in Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The man has been identified as Gavin Brandis, 44, of Lot 1170 Pigeon Place, South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown. According to reports, Brandis received a telephone call to collect a passenger and left his base at Aubrey Barker Road, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. After some time passed, his wife and other relatives attempted to contact him but their calls went to voice mail. On Wednesday morning, they received reports that his car was found in Plum Park, Sophia and rushed to the scene. Brandis was found in the back seat of the vehicle with several injuries to his head. His mobile phone and cash, along with jewellery were missing. He is presently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The man’s wife when contacted told Guyana Times that at about 20:00h, she attempted to contact her husband but all the calls went unanswered. This, she noted, went on for the remainder of the night which threw the family into panic. According to the woman, she was in contract with the taxi service base but up to midnight, there was no word on her husband’s whereabouts. She said early Wednesday morning, the family received a call from
The car belonging to Brandis in Sophia after the discovery
one of the drivers at the base informing them that the car was found in Sophia and someone was lying in the back seat. Her brother-in-law, she noted, went to the scene while she made her way to the hospital. She said that her husband arrived at the hospital in an unconscious state and was immediately admitted. The woman further stated that based on reports received, her husband suffered lacerations to his head. The Police however, were called in and two resident of Sophia were up to late Wednesday evening detained. They are continuing their investigations into the incident.
The car that was allegedly used by the perpetrators during the grenade attack
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lthough six persons remain in custody for hurling a grenade at a vehicle belonging to Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, the Police are tracking several others in relation to the incident which occurred last Saturday evening. Acting Crime Chief, Hugh Jessamy told Guyana Times that investigators were up to late Wednesday evening interrogating those who were arrested on Tuesday evening at several locations. They were arrested following the discovery of the motorcar that was allegedly used by the perpetrators. Jessamy added that the Police are working on several leads but cannot divulge any information with respect to the investigation. He further stated that before the Police institute charges against the men, there needs to be sufficient evidence, hence, an early court appearance might not be possible. The acting Crime Chief added that investigators are yet to verify whether or not the motorcar that was found abandoned was the one actually used in the commissioning of the crime. Guyana Times understands that the men in custody are from the Sophia area including the driver, who claimed that he was hijacked but after further interrogation, he told investigators that the car was lent to a friend. Initially, the driver claimed that he was driving along Albert Street, Alberttown when two men on a motorcycle pulled
up alongside him, pulled out a weapon and ordered him to stop the vehicle. Without hesitation, he told ranks that he complied. Based on information gathered from the driver, the others were taken into police custody. On Saturday night, as Kaieteur News held its first night of wake to pay respect to the late Assistant Editor, Dale Andrews who passed away on Friday, the live grenade was hurled at Lall’s vehicle. Persons who were at the wake recalled hearing a strange sound but assumed it was shattering glass. However, when a thorough check was made, the grenade was found lying next to the right front tyre of Lall’s black Lexus vehicle. The Police were summoned and the area was immediately cordoned off while bomb experts deactivate the device. They noted it was a miracle that the live grenade did not explode. On Monday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that the grenade was detonated at the seawalls and that it was too early to determine the motive for the attack. This attack was condemned by several groups including the Government, the Opposition, the Guyana Public Service Union, the Private Sector Commission and several other news outfits. In addition, they have all called for a speeding investigation into the incident, referring to the attack as domestic terrorism.