Contractor held over Rupununi airstrip

A Region Nine contractor was on Monday arrested and is being questioned by police as investigations into the illegal airstrip and airplane found some distance away from Santa Fe continues.

Sources last night told Stabroek News that the man was arrested by ranks from the Lethem Police Station and his front end loader was impounded. It is believed that the front end loader may have been used in the construction of the airstrip.

On Monday last, the Guyana Police Force reported the seizure of the twin-engine Beechcraft, which followed almost a month of reports of a foreign aircraft frequenting the Santa Fe, North Rupununi area.

According to the police, a quantity of dry rations, medical supplies, gents clothing and footwear, two hand-held radios, flashlights, cellular phones and an identification card were among the items found on the aircraft.

Stabroek News was told that the aircraft was in the process of being sold. Sources had said that the plane, bearing registration number, PRIMG was linked to Riwa S.A Incorporacoes, Investimentos e Participacoes, a Brazilian company, on lease from Banco Bradesco. Bradesco, is one of the biggest banking and financial companies in Brazil.

Last Thursday, the aircraft was flown out of the Rupununi and landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri where it was handed over to the security forces.