Law enforcers in Lethem implicated in “hot bikes”

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

A number of law enforcement officers in the southern Guyanese township of Lethem are being implicated in the smuggling of motorcycles from neighbouring Brazil.

An official of the GRA did not immediately accept or return calls, although DemWaves was advised to call Thursday afternoon for a specific reaction. The official had days before said that six smuggled motorcycles haad been seized by Guyanese authorities.

Well-placed sources in Region Nine said that in one instance a female officer has been seen allegedly riding a motorcycle bearing a Brazilian license plate. Sources added that the bike belongs to her boyfriend who was recently transferred to Georgetown.

In another instance, a Brazilian named Ismaildo Mariano De Faria was apprehended in St. Ignatius Village by police between 10:30 and 10:45 AM on July 23 for allegedly having in illegal possession one 125 Fan motorcycle. The bike was found in a building owned by an officer of a law enforcement agency, said the sources.

“Motorcycles bought from Brazil attract heavy duties but those bikes for which duties have not been paid are called hot bikes and are seized by Customs Officers,” a source explained.

Sources said that it was the same Brazilian who police arrested at Kumu Village, Central Rupununi, with a .38 Taurus revolver and 11 rounds. Prior to the Brazilian’s arrest, he was allegedly taken by a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officer from St. Ignatius to Kumu Village on a motorcycle to allegedly engage in illegal activities. “He is involved in many illegal things and it seems that he is above the law,” said the source. Nothing is being done to this Officer that is no arrest at this time,” said the source.

A Guyanese man, who was arrested along with the Brazilian for the alleged gun and ammunition possession, was described as an accomplice to the GRA officer who allegedly transacts illegal business.