Food parcels thefts: Sixth soldier arrested

The Military Police (MP) recently reported that another soldier has been arrested in connection to the thefts of food parcels from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo). Major Anand Debisaroen from the MP confirmed the arrest of one more soldier. He pointed out that six soldiers and 2 citizens are now in jail. The sixth soldier had been assigned to help out at the Ministry of Social Affairs. He had been tasked with helping to coordinate the distribution of the food parcels in all of the nation’s districts. Debisaroen pointed out that the MP has launched a large-scale investigation in order to find out how many food parcels were stolen. Investigators recently recovered about 100 food parcels during a police raid in Paramaribo. Debisaroen pointed out that the investigation could be concluded within one or two weeks. Investigators started looking into this matter after the Military Police had received a tip that food parcels that were intended for the less fortunate were being sold at a house located along the Abenistraat in Paramaribo. The MP and the police then raided the house and arrested 7 suspects. Reports indicate that the suspects sold each food parcel for SRD 70. Each food parcel reportedly contained toilet paper, chicken leg quarters, toothpaste, onions, garlic, soap and cooking oil. Most of the food products had been stored in a storage room. Reports indicate that the suspects used two trucks to transport the stolen food parcels.