Major Crimes Unit to probe CANU Lethem operation

-Revenue Authority maintains all procedures were lawful

As police announced a planned investigation of an incident that occurred during last Thursday’s Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) anti-smuggling operation in Lethem, the Guyana Revenue Authority yesterday maintained that “lawful procedures were properly executed” at all times.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday announced that a team from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Major Crimes Unit has been dispatched to Lethem to investigate the incident, which occurred after CANU said its ranks faced hostility during the operation.

On Thursday night, CANU said that it was reviewing the need for further training of ranks after a suspected liquor smuggler released dogs to attack ranks during the operation. It said an officer discharged a round to fend off the threat of attack after repeated requests to secure the animals were made. CANU later reported that it was holistically reviewing the incident to address the need for further training of its ranks to ensure they are able to withstand civilian intimidation.

Contacted for a comment yesterday, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn told Sunday Stabroek that he has since spoken to CANU about professionalism and not being provoked while carrying out their duties.

Benn said an investigation is currently being conducted. Upon completion, he said, the findings will be presented to him.

Asked whether he has asked for any specific action/s to be taken in light of the incident, Benn said this will be dealt with at a departmental level.

However, the Revenue Authority yesterday maintained that at all times, lawful procedures were properly executed.

It noted that on Thursday, April 15, 2021, a team of officers attached to CANU observed a Brazilian registered cargo truck illegally exiting the Lethem MultiPurpose Complex without the requisite examination being conducted by the proper officers. As a result, it said the officers followed the consignment to the premises where a joint search was conducted with officers of the Revenue Authority.

“The officers properly identified themselves, as is standard operating procedure, and stated the purpose of the visit. They were however met with acts of aggression, insults and hostility by persons within the said premises who denied the team of officers from gaining access to the premises, as is required by law. After a brief stand-off, the team of officers finally gained entry to the premises where they were met with further acts including aggression and ferocious dogs,” it explained.

The Revenue Authority said despite several requests for the ferocious dogs to be secured, these were aggressively denied. As a result, it said the dogs were secured based on a “more intense approach” taken by the officers, and the premises were subsequently searched, leading to the discovery of a large quantity of uncustomed items. The individual who subsequently claimed ownership was cautioned and arrested, and placed on station bail.

CANU had said that Lyndon Franklin, of Lot 470 Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine, was arrested for allegedly smuggling goods from Brazil into Guyana. It noted that 30 cases of Blackstone Whisky, nine cases of Blend Seven Whiskey, and four cases of Skarloff Vodka were found in the man’s truck after he was intercepted.

A video that captured part of the operation and which was circulated on Facebook showed armed CANU ranks standing around an unidentified location. While it was not clear whether it was the suspect who recorded the video, the recorder was heard saying “you blocking we from exiting custom compound”.

The person then walked around to record the ranks and as he walked towards one of them, he was heard saying “This one hay is the one that pull the trigger. This one right hay like shoot. He pull the trigger. This same one

hay. This is the one that shoot up in my yard. Get his face properly.”

As the man walked towards the rank to show his face, the rank, who was holding a firearm, walked towards him and was heard saying “Move from in front me” after which he lifted the gun and apparently hit the man.

The video then ended.

On Friday, CANU Head James Singh had told this newspaper that “some” internal changes were expected following the actions of some ranks during the operation.

Meanwhile, the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Friday condemned the conduct of the CANU ranks, calling it unprofessional. 2021.

As a result, it said in a statement that CANU needs to immediately withdraw the officers from Lethem and the wider Rupununi region and confine them to training facilities to ensure that they comply with established operating procedures while executing their duties.

“The action by one of the CANU officers is very similar to what criminals are perpetrating against our citizens across Guyana and for persons who are supposed to be professionally trained and who we should trust and depend upon to protect and serve with dignity, leaves much to be desired,” it said, while calling for the rank who is at the centre of the case to be dismissed immediately.