Recent events review Saturday, May 27 to Friday, June 2
Saturday, May 27 PPP/C MP lodges complaint against three doctors over alleged abuse of medication by Carol Joseph
PPP/C MP Harry Gill on Wednesday formally complained to the Medical Council of Guyana (MCG) against three doctors in the matter where former Region Five councillor Carol Joseph was accused of abusing her authority to enable access to medication she should not have been using. Gills’ complaint to the MCG is expected to trigger a formal investigation against the three doctors and could lead to hearings for disciplinary action. Hearings could also provide a basis for a broader investigation about what transpired with Joseph’s medication and the period over which she had access to them. The letter was sent to MCG Chairman Dr Navindranauth Rambarran. Joseph resigned from the Region Five council on April 21 this year, two days after Stabroek News reported on her alleged abuse of medication. The matter had been drawn to the public’s notice by Gill after Nurse Sherlyn Marks reported to him that her complaints to senior medical officials about the Joseph case had been ignored.
US court sentences ex-Region Three official to time served on cocaine charge
After spending around seven months in jail, former Region Three official Ameena Marilyn Hinds was yesterday sentenced to time served in connection with cocaine which was found in her luggage at Houston, Texas in October last year. She had pleaded guilty on March 2, this year to a charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to court documents seen by Stabroek News, Judge Sim Lake sentenced Hinds, a former Deputy Regional Executive Officer, to one year which corresponded to the period that she had already been incarcerated. Unusually, the transcript of the hearing was sealed by the court. Also sealed were the pre-sentence report, the objection to the pre-sentence report by Hinds, the final pre-sentence investigation report and the sentencing recommendation. She had been ordered detained pending trial as she had been deemed a flight risk.
Kako farms were ravaged by flooding – Toshao
Farms in the Region Seven village of Kako were ravaged by this week’s flooding, according to Toshao, Casey Hastings and the government is continuing to channel supplies to communities inundated by rain-swollen rivers. Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings Williams made a contribution to ongoing flood relief efforts with the delivery of food and medical supplies to her hometown of Kako. The minister delivered bed nets, potable water filters, cough syrup, cleaning detergents and other basic supplies, for distribution to the residents in Kako whose homes and livelihood were affected. According to the Government Information Agency, Hastings-Williams coordinated the activity after receiving word that residents were in need of the items.
Sunday, May 28 Jagdeo concerned over president’s delay in selecting Gecom chairperson
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday voiced concern over President David Granger’s delay in selecting a nominee to serve as the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom), while stressing that filling the vacancy should be treated as a priority. “…I am saying that I am concerned given the importance for elections, the importance for Gecom and the country… this issue should be dealt with on a priority basis, as an urgent matter and I do not see any sense of urgency on the part of the government and that’s my major concern,” Jagdeo told Sunday Stabroek when contacted. On May 2, Jagdeo submitted a second slate of nominees for President Granger’s consideration. Just over a week ago, Granger said he was still looking at the resumes of Jagdeo’s six nominees. There has been no further word from government on the matter and attempts by the newspaper yesterday to get an update were unsuccessful, as Minister of State Joseph Harmon could not be reached for a comment. Jagdeo’s nominees are former appellate judge B S Roy, former High Court judge William Ramlal, former magistrate and now practising attorney Oneidge WalrondAllicock, attorneys Kashir Khan and Nadia Sagar and former Guyana Defence Force captain and businessman Gerald Gouveia.
Monday, May 29 Raid against Kaieteur mining nabs 21
President David Granger ordered a covert raid of the Kaieteur National Park, Region Eight, for illegal mining and the operation saw 21 persons arrested and flown to the city yesterday. They remained in police custody up to last evening pending further investigations and likely charges. Most of the persons arrested are residents from the Amerindian village of Chenapau. “It was some surprise when we recently learnt that an aerial [photo] showed about 15 illegal operations within Kaieteur, not one, not two, but fifteen,” Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told Stabroek News yesterday. Further, he added “This was brought to the attention of the President, who for all intent and purposes, as the Minister of Environment, asked the Protected Areas Commission … that swift action be taken against it, hence it was done.”
Laundering probe of gold dealer only began when GBTI made fraud report – sources
It was only after the $941 million alleged fraud at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) was reported to police and the Bank of Guyana that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) began a review of information it had on the transactions of gold dealer Saddiqi Rasul and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) began investigations of money laundering, sources say. “Through the [Guyana] Gold Board and the bank [GBTI], the FIU was getting recommendations that the man was selling an extraordinary amount of gold and had large transactions,” a source close to the investigation told Stabroek News. “With FIU… you do not know if they [are] acting on any of the information received because it is not like they say anything, but only after the fraud was reported that they requested more information and got actively involved,” the source added. The source explained that FIU would not have redflagged any of Rasul’s businesses because it progressed over time and seemed to be “above board”. Also it had the necessary documentation and paperwork required and no local commercial bank ever complained before of suspicions of money laundering or any other crime.
Nine overseas-based Guyanese give their take on opportunities here
Participants of “Go See Visit 2017,” a pilot project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), expressed optimism toward setting up enterprises locally, following five days of engagement with the private and public sector, which concluded last Thursday. The forum, according to the Ministry of the Presidency, sought to build effective and sustainable diaspora engagement for development in the Caribbean. According to the Head of the Diaspora Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Michael Brotherson, the project was aimed at stimulating interest for investment from individuals in the diaspora, which would in turn complement ongoing development efforts in the country. Brotherson said that the project has been deemed a success, as the initial objectives of getting the participants here and engaging them have been met, adding that the feedback from the participants also supports this. Ten participants from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom were chosen after a rigorous selection process which involved prospective participants having to send in expressions of interest and project proposals and then conducting an interview via Skype with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IOM.
Tuesday, May 30 Chenapau residents protest against arrests of alleged illegal miners in Kaieteur National Park
Residents of Chenapau Village, Region Eight yesterday protested Sunday afternoon’s arrest of almost two dozen persons – most of whom reside in Chenapau – during a covert raid of the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) against illegal mining. The order for the raid was issued by President David Granger after recent aerial reconnaissance showed about 15 illegal operations in the KNP, a documented protected area where mining is strictly prohibited. Those detained were subsequently flown to Georgetown and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that among those detained were two women and a baby. Stabroek News has since been informed that the two women and the baby were last evening released on their own recognizance but will have to return to CID this morning as investigations continue.
Report on blacklisting of 200 persons by SOCU a fabrication – police
A report of 200 persons being blacklisted by the Special Organized Crime Unit is a fabrication, police said yesterday while giving a breakdown of those barred from leaving Guyana during the last ten years, which it said totalled 139. The police were responding to a letter penned by former attorney general Anil Nandlall in the Kaieteur News, a replica of a press statement which had been issued by the same author several days earlier. Further, the police made it clear that it never received an opinion or instruction from the former attorney general, regarding the blacklisting of persons. This issue has been in the media for several weeks but neither the government nor the police addressed it, though the alleged blacklisting has been condemned by members of the opposition PPP/C.
Health ministry worker charged with rape of 14-year-old boy
A Ministry of Public Health worker was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with the rape of a 14-year-old boy. Esan Abrams, 37, of Trinidad and Tobago, was arraigned before Magistrate Leron Daly for allegedly engaging in the sexual penetration of the teen between June 21 and June 22, 2015, at the National Park. Abrams was not required to plead to the charge. The police prosecutor objected to Abrams being granted bail. He informed the court that the police’s file was completed and requested a date for statements to be handed to the accused in advance of his preliminary trial. Meanwhile, Abrams, who was confused as to why he could not have been granted bail, was told by the prosecutor that he was a flight risk and lived in Trinidad. The accused later argued that he had not visited Trinidad in years and had a fixed place of abode in North Ruimveldt. While Abrams and the prosecutor argued on addresses, the court was also told that the accused lied about his job. According to the prosecutor, Abrams, who told the court he was a liaison officer at the ministry, had told the police that he was a marketing manager. After hearing the arguments of the accused and the prosecutor, Magistrate Daly remanded Abrams to prison, citing the confusion of his place of abode as the reason for her decision. The case was later adjourned until June 12.
Wednesday, May 31 Stephen Vieira, four others charged over Zeelugt cocaine
Five persons, including well-known motorbike racer Stephen Vieira and race car driver Nazim Gafoor, will today be charged over the almost 85 kilos of cocaine that were unearthed in dressed lumber at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, almost three weeks ago. The men are expected to appear in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Vieira, Nazim Gafoor, his father Tazim Gafoor, and Sherwayne DeAbreu will be charged jointly. A separate charge will be instituted against Narine Lall, who is yet to be apprehended, although the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has issued a wanted bulletin for him. Stabroek News was reliably informed that an application will be made for an arrest warrant to be issued for Lall. He will be charged separately to ensure that there is no delay in the trial of the others due to his absence. On May 12, CANU conducted a raid at Zeelugt during which 84.986 kgs of cocaine, with a street value of over $550 million, was found in dressed lumber.
Duncan St man charged over 25 lbs cocaine, handguns
Trevor Rodrigues, the man held last Friday after a police search of his Duncan Street, Campbellville home unearthed a little over 25 pounds of cocaine as well as handguns and ammunition, was yesterday charged with drug trafficking and unlawful possession of munitions. The charges against Rodrigues, which were read by Magistrate Annette Singh, stemmed from a domestic violence report on May 26, 2017. Rodrigues, 32, was charged with being in possession of 11.363 kilogrammes of cocaine (equivalent to 25.05 pounds) for the purpose of trafficking. He was also charged with having in his possession a 9mm pistol, a 9mm Glock and a .357 Magnum revolver along with matching ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder. Rodrigues pleaded not guilty to each charge.
Contractor charged with killing cricket coach in D’Urban and Smyth sts collision
A building contractor was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with the D’Urban and Smyth streets accident that claimed the life of cricket coach Daniel Richmond and left another person clinging on to life. Elton Carter, of 50 ‘CC’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was read a charge by Magistrate Judy Latchman which stated that on May 21, at Smyth Street, Georgetown, he drove motor pickup GRR 8350 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Richmond. Subsequent to the charge being read, Police Prosecutor Inspector Shellon Daniels requested that the Administration of Justice Act not be applied and the defendant not be allowed to plead since there is another passenger hospitalised in a critical condition.
Thursday, June 1 GRA employee among four remanded over huge Zeelugt drug bust
An agent from the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Guyana Revenue Authority was among four persons who were denied bail at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of trafficking in 84.9 kilos of cocaine. The agent, Sherwayne De Abreu, 35, of Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara; motorcycle racer, Stephen Vieira, 33, of Middle and Cummings Sts, Georgetown and motor-racers, Tazim Gafoor, 45, and his son, Nazim Gafoor, 20, of Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara are scheduled to return to court on June 12 for disclosure of statements and fixture for trial. The joint charge read by Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool, stated that between March 1 and May 12, 2017 at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo the men had in their possession 84.9 kilos of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and aided one Hackeem Mohamed. The cocaine, which carried a street value of over $550 million, was reportedly stashed in dressed lumber at a sawmill at Lookout, East Bank Essequibo, belonging to Narine Lall, who was not present during the reading of the charge. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Reports are that a truck was hired to pick up and transport the lumber from Lall’s Sawmill to a wharf at Georgetown.
Student, carpenter charged with causing businessman’s death by dangerous driving
A School of the Nations student and a carpenter were yesterday charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of businessman Derek Mangal. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Rajkumarie Ragoobar, 23, of 137 AA Eccles, East Bank Demerara, yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that she, on May 29, on Camp and Middle streets, Public Roads in Georgetown, drove motor car PPP 3751, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Derek Mangal. Meanwhile, also charged with the offence was Steven Cox, 24, of 55, Gordon Street, Kitty. Cox pleaded not guilty to his charge which read that on the same date and location, he drove PPP 9843 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Mangal. Ragoobar’s lawyer Glenn Hanoman who requested that his client be placed on bail, argued that she is not a flight risk. He told the court that subsequent to the accident, the accused, who is a full-time student at the private institution, remained until the arrival of the police. Hanoman told the court that Ragoobar had been very co-operative with the police. Meanwhile, Cox’s attorney who also requested bail, told the court that her client was the one who had called 911. Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore, told the court that he had no objections to the two getting bail.
Harmon gets report on probe of vessel on which cocaine was found
The government yesterday received a report on an inquiry into how the anti-narcotics agency, Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) handled the interception of a vessel which was later busted on the high seas by US-led forces with a huge amount of cocaine. Concerns about how the CANU and the GDF handled the vessel prompted President David Granger to convene a Commission of Inquiry into the matter and it could lead to a shake-up of CANU. In the wake of questions over the handling of the vessel, the Head of CANU, James Singh was sent on leave due to him. The government had said that there was no link between the probe and Singh’s proceeding on leave. A press release yesterday from the Ministry of the Presidency said Minister of State Joseph Harmon received the Report from the Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which was established by Granger on March 31, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the entry into, the interception, detention and subsequent release of an unnamed private maritime vessel in the sea space of the territory of Guyana. The Commission was asked to report the findings and recommendations to the President, who is the Head of the National Security Committee.
Friday, June 2 Exxon set for oil – govt production licence
Following reviews of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project Development Plan that was submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd (EEPGL) in December, 2016, the Government is expected to grant a production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum to move ahead in 2020. This was announced by the government last evening and follows the huge offshore find by the US conglomerate in the Stabroek Block in 2015. The government said the licence will be granted whilst placing emphasis on Guyanese employment and training, the procurement of goods and services in Guyana, infrastructural soundness and the protection of the environment. The government statement said that the Production Licence is required to be finalised before the developers make their Final Investment Decision for the project this month.
All systems in place to mitigate flooding
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson yesterday said all systems have been activated to mitigate any flooding after the Hydrometeorological Service predicted heavy rainfall. According to a special bulletin issued yesterday, heavy and continuous precipitation was expected to be observed over a period of six to 36 hours as a tropical wave passing Guyana was expected to interact with an Upper Level Trough and Sub Tropical Jet. “An upper level trough and the Sub-tropical Jet are interacting with a tropical wave; these features are currently affecting and will continue to affect Guyana during the next 6 to 36 hours. Weather conditions are likely to deteriorate as the Jet entrance migrates over Guyana from time to time,” the bulletin explained, while pointing out that regions across the country will experience mostly overcast skies, however, the coastal and inland areas are predicted to experience continuous moderate to heavy rainfall and thundershowers.
Kaieteur Park infringes rights of Patamona – Toshaos Council
The National Toshaos Council (NTC) yesterday declared that the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) is an infringement on the rights of the Patamona community and it called on President David Granger to address this matter and to have all charges recently brought against persons mining in the area dropped. A crackdown on illegal mining in the KNP ordered by the President resulted in nearly two dozen residents of the Region Eight community of Chenapau being arrested and brought to the city. They were served with summonses and will have to appear in court in Mahdia in July charged with violating the Protected Areas Act. In a statement yesterday, the NTC, which recently clashed with the Granger administration over the establishment of a controversial lands commission, defended the rights of the Chenapau residents to operate in the area. The NTC called on Granger to “closely examine the events that unfolded in the recent months as it relates to the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana, the infringement on our rights by private entities aided by Government and sometimes by government themselves.