Sup’t Kurleigh Simon in charge of police narcotics branch
Superintendent of Police, Kurleigh Simon has taken up the post as Head of the Guyana Police Force Narcotics branch, less than a month after Superinten-dent Wayne DeHearte was transferred in the wake of the disappearance of a quantity of cocaine from Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force Shivpersaud Bacchus yesterday confirmed that Simon is now the officerin-charge of the force’s narcotics branch.
Prior to his transfer, Simon served as a subdivisional officer in ‘B’ Division.
DeHearte was transferred to ‘B’ Division late last month to facilitate a probe into the disappearance of the cocaine which was launched by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
Stabroek News was previously told that the cocaine which was lodged after being tendered as evidence was discovered missing on September 26.
Reports had revealed that the cocaine was seized from ex-policeman Travis Mendonca, 31, a resident of Linden, who was recently sentenced to three years imprisonment for having the cocaine in his possession.
Two weeks before the disappearance, ranks attached to the Narcotics Branch arrested Mendonca at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, after the cocaine was found hidden in his suitcase.
At the time of the discovery, Mendonca was an outgoing passenger destined for the United States. He had appeared in the Providence Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
A second man, Delvor Bunbury, 27, a resident of 37 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, who the police had issued a wanted bulletin for was also later charged in connection with the cocaine.