Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana Riding on the Crest of Truth
Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 February 2023, 13:30 by Denis Chabrol
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday afternoon appealed to persons who have blocked roads in Buxton with burning tires and other debris to stop doing so, as they pressed demands for the release of a suspected narcotic trafficker.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is calling on persons engaged in the blocking of the roadways and other illegal activities to desist from this practice,” the ministry said in a statement. The Home Affairs Ministry added that police officers and fire service units are on the scene to effect the reopening of the roadways.
The appeal was issued amid the refusal of the persons to allow fire fighters to extinguish the flames. Attempts by police to remove pieces of old wood and other discarded items were pelted with bricks and other objects. A truck was burnt on the Buxton Public Road during the unrest.
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) said the driver of the car, PRR 6703, O’Darie Phillips, was arrested, and the Ministry of Home Affairs said several bundles of marijuana weighing 51.2 pounds were found in the vehicle which has a logo for Team Diamond which is closely associated with Mark “Demon” Cromwell, a former policeman who is well-known to law enforcement agents.
The Home Affairs Ministry said during the “intelligence-led operation”, “some warning shots were fired to stop the fleeing vehicle when ended up in a nearby trench.