Brazilian pilot jailed, fined over New River chopper landing
Brazilian Alexander Felix Plan was yesterday jailed for 48 months and fined over $5.5 million after he pleaded guilty to several offences connected with him having landed a helicopter at the New River Triangle in February.
Plan was arrested at Aishalton in Region Nine by members of
A Cummings Lodge pensioner’s home was early Tuesday evening destroyed by flames from an unattended burning rubbish heap she had lit.
A release from the Guyana Fire Service said that at about 19.00 hours, it received a report of a fire at Lot 734, Sixth Street Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme, Greater Georgetown and responded with tenders from Central, Alberttown and Campbellville fire stations.
Upon arrival the fire responders found that the one-flat wooden building occupied by 60-year-old Haimwantie Singh was on fire.
“The fire was the result of Singh burning rubbish, which she left unattended, and it subsequently spread to the house, destroying it,” the release informed.
Heat from the burning building also damaged neighbouring houses and three black tanks and one metre of PVC guttering were destroyed.
The Guyana Fire Service is advising citizens to never leave garbage or grass fires unattended, as these fires can quickly get out of hand.
As such citizens are being urged to be aware of the following tips.
● desist from openly burning grass and garbage. Find other means of disposal and/or land clearing
● report large grass and garbage fires to the fire department
● do not throw cigarette or cigar butts on the ground or out of a vehicle. Dispose of them properly, and make sure they are completely extinguished
● parents should emphasise to their children the dangers of playing with fire, as some grass fires are started by children who have no idea how quickly flames can grow and spread
● Keep a shovel, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, or other fire suppression tools on hand to put out fires if they occur or get out of hand. the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on February 20. His arrest followed a GDF intelligence-led operation on February 19, in the New River Triangle in southern Guyana. Plan’s helicopter, according to the GDF, was delivering food to a campsite where a shotgun, 10 cellphones, a generator, mining equipment, passports, ID cards and a bank card were found. The GDF said a quantity of equipment was confiscated and the camp along with a mining tunnel destroyed.
Plan was charged on February 27 with several offences and had originally pleaded not guilty. However, yesterday, the defendant, who was represented by Attorney Jevon Cox, changed his plea to guilty through an interpreter.
On the charge of operating a civil aircraft without an Airworthiness Certificate, contrary to Section 89(2) of the Civil Aviation Act, Plan was fined $1.5 million and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. On the charge of operating an aircraft without insurance, contrary to Section 137(4) of the Civil Aviation Act, he was fined $2.5 million with the alternative of 18 months’ imprisonment.
For the charge of disembarking in Guyana without the consent of an immigration officer, contrary to Section 34(1) (a) of the Immigration Act Chapter 14:02, Plan was fined $30,000 and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He was also charged with interference with an aircraft, contrary to Section 121 of the Civil Aviation Act, and was fined $1.5 million and jailed for 18 months.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Cummings Lodge pensioner’s home destroyed by garbage fire