CANU officer fired following Berbice melee

-another on administrative duty

One of the two Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) officers who was involved in a melee at a Corriverton, Berbice bar over the weekend has since been terminated while the other, who was arrested is on administrative duties as the probe continues.

During the incident, one of the officers was engaged in a confrontation while another allegedly discharged a loaded firearm.

CANU Head James Singh yesterday told Stabroek News that the rank who was involved in the confrontation was terminated.

The other, who was arrested by the police for discharging a loaded firearm is the one who is presently on administrative duties.

Contacted for an update on the investigation yesterday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Stabroek News that the

CANU rank was released from police custody and is required to report to the police until the investigation is completed and legal advice is obtained in the matter.

The police had said that the rank allegedly fired a shot in the air during a disturbance over the instruction by a team of police officers to the proprietor of a bar where about one hundred persons were imbibing. According to a police press release, a party of policemen showed up at Sea Breeze Bar, Corriverton at about 12.30 am Sunday.

At the time of the incident, the two CANU officers were socialising at the bar.

Police officers instructed the proprietor to close off the bar during which a CANU officer questioned the cop as to “what makes the police rank think he can close off the party”.

The CANU officer then stated, according to the press release, that no such thing was going to happen.

As a result of his behaviour, a civilian intervened by telling the CANU officer that he should not disrespect the police officer.

This enraged the CANU officer who advanced towards the young man aggressively. Another civilian intervened but was attacked by the CANU officer.

As a result of this a large crowd gathered and a second CANU officer pulled out his gun and discharged a round in the air.

The CANU officer who was engaged in the confrontation suffered injuries to his head and was escorted to the Skeldon Hospital where he was seen by a doctor and sent away.