On 25 September, Surinamese state-owned gold mining company N.V. Grassalco confirmed that six armed men intercepted earlier this week at the main entrance of its Maripaston gold operation were plotting to carry out an armed robbery at the mining concession. The firm says quick action by its security personnel, who blocked the men from entering and immediately alerted local police, prevented what could have been a deadly, large-scale security incident.
According to official statements from Grassalco, the six men — four of Brazilian nationality and two Surinamese citizens — arrived at the mine’s main gate in a single vehicle. Security staff noticed unusual, suspicious behavior from the group immediately upon their arrival, leading them to make the call to deny the group entry to the operational mining site before conducting a search of their vehicle. The search turned up a cache of hidden weapons, prompting security to contact law enforcement right away.
Initial details released by authorities confirm the blue-painted Toyota Surf the men were traveling in held a hunting rifle, a handmade automatic firearm, a handgun, and a large stash of ammunition. Authorities also seized gloves and face masks from the vehicle, items commonly used in armed robberies to conceal identities. After weapons were discovered, one suspect attempted to flee the scene but was quickly detained by responding officers. Members of the Suriname Central Regional Assistance Team and the Central Regional Criminal Investigation Department responded to the site and took all six suspects into custody. The group was later transferred to the capital city of Paramaribo, and all six have been remanded into custody to allow for ongoing investigation work.
While Grassalco has publicly characterized the incident as a foiled armed raid, law enforcement officials note that the exact motive and specific target of the six men have not been definitively confirmed as of yet. Investigations by the Central Regional Criminal Investigation Department are still ongoing. One additional detail that has emerged is that one suspect, identified only as S.D., has already been linked to an earlier armed robbery case in Suriname’s interior, where another suspect was previously taken into custody. Police have not ruled out additional arrests as the investigation progresses.
Grassalco’s executive board praised the fast and decisive action of its security team, noting that their vigilance stopped a potentially severe attack before it could begin, and expressed official appreciation for their response. The company has also announced it will implement additional, strengthened security measures across its Maripaston gold operation wherever gaps are identified, to prevent similar plots from advancing in the future.