GRA officers injured by heavy gunfire during Mahaica anti-smuggling operation

Two Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers from the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) were seriously wounded on Thursday night after they came under fire as they were conducting an anti-smuggling operation in the Mahaica River.

The identities of the officers are unknown. One of the officers was shot in his face while the other sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. They both underwent surgery yesterday.

It remains unclear if any of the perpetrators were injured.

However, according to the GRA, while no arrest has yet been made, the owner of the vessel is known to law enforcement officials for his alleged involvement in smuggling activities.

In a press release issued yesterday, GRA said a team of LEID officers in coordination with the police, acting on information received around 11.45 pm moved to intercept a vessel on the suspicion that it was transporting un-customed goods in the Mahaica River by land and water.

During the process, the GRA’s vessel came under gunfire. “The GRA’s vessel came under high-powered and spotlighted gunfire emanating both from the suspect’s property and the suspected vessel, clear evidence that they may have been tipped off,” the statement said.

As a result, it added that the LEID officers took evasive action by lying in their vessel. They returned fire in the general direction of the perpetrators, the GRA added.

However, the perpetrator’s bullets pierced the GRA’s vessel and injured the two officers.

“Despite the constant threat to their lives, LEID officers continue to fearlessly execute their duties in order to curb the scourge of smuggling and safeguard the country’s revenues,” the GRA said.

“The authority welcomes the help of the public and will continue to utilize the resources of its sister agencies to this effect,” it added.