UPDATE: SWAT Lance corporals allegedly caught with narcotics

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 January 2025, 21:19 by Writer

Two lance corporals of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit are under close arrest for allegedly being in possession of more than 700 grammes of marijuana, police said.

At about 11:15 p.m. January 14th, 2024, acting on information received, an inspector from the Special Branch along with other ranks, stopped an Axio motor car bearing registration number PAJ 2421, on Camp and New Market streets, Georgetown.

Police added that the vehicle was driven by Police Lance Corporal 20355 Kevin Thompson. Lance Corporal 23874 Dwayne Perry was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

Police added that a search was conducted in the car, in the presence of the two SWAT ranks, and in the back seat, a black travelling bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found, along with plastic wraps, a black scale and a black bag sealer.

“The two SWAT mrmbers were told of the offence committed and cautioned and they both remained silent. They were arrested and escorted to the Narcotics Branch. The suspected narcotic was weighed and it amounted to 748.4 grams,”police added.

A thorough search uncovered nothing else of evidential value. The documents for the motor car were examined and it was observed that it is owned by Diana Persaud of North Road, Lacytown, police added.

Stacy Hodge, a 40-year-old businesswoman from Providence, EBD, who is the reputed wife of Kevin Thompson, was contacted and interviewed, and she stated that she was involved in an accident about a week ago with her motor vehicle (a red Lexus, number PAJ 4770) and her insurance company rented the said car from Elite Auto rentals located at Garnette Street, Kitty, for her to use while her vehicle was being repaired.

Hodge said that she last drove the vehicle on Thursday, 10th January, 2025, and she gave the keys to Thompson after he asked her for a vehicle to use.

The vehicle is lodged at the Alberttown Police Station. Searches were carried out at the homes of Kevin Thompson and Dwayne Perry. They were both placed under close arrest. Investigations are ongoing, police added.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn Wednesday said the alleged crime by the SWAT members amounted to a breach of trust.

“There are no secrets in the matter. It’s all serious matter. It’s a failure, of course, and a breach of trust and confidence,” he said.