Police, GRA bicker over non-submission of statements in shoot-out with smuggler

Last Updated on Saturday, 19 July 2014, 16:41 by GxMedia

A suspected smuggler, who allegedly opened fire on a number of customs officers during an operation, has been arrested, police said Saturday.

“Two men have been arrested, including the main suspect, and are in police custody, police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker said.

However, a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) official has dismissed claims by the police that the customs officers have so far refused to provide statements on the incident at Dundee, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara on July 16.

The GRA official stressed that the officers, who were on the operation, first have to ensure that their statements are correct because ultimately the incident would end up before the court.

Whittaker said the investigations were  being stymied by the non-submission of statements to the police by the GRA officials who so far have shown some reluctance to do so.

Police said during the incident Yogeshwar Singh, 33 years, who resides in the vicinity, sustained a grazed wound to his forehead from a stray bullet. He was medically treated.