标签： Guyana

In a controversial turn of events, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has issued a ‘cease and desist’ order to Mae’s School owner David Sugrim, demanding an immediate halt to all construction activities on Farnum Ground in Subryanville, Georgetown. However, Sugrim claims he never received the letter and asserts that the construction of the prefabricated structure was completed months before the October 6, 2025, date of the notice. ‘By the time the letter reached, we had already finished our work,’ Sugrim stated in an interview with Demerara Waves Online News. The CH&PA, in a notice signed by Secretary Rajesh Ramgolam, accused Sugrim of engaging in ‘unauthorised, unlawful, and illegal construction activities’ in violation of the Town and Country Planning Act. The Authority emphasized that no planning permission had been granted for the development, nor had any application been submitted. Despite the threat of legal action, Sugrim maintains that he has adhered to an agreement with the Georgetown City Council to vacate the playground once the new school building is constructed. Education Minister Sonia Parag also confirmed that neither her ministry nor the local government had approved the construction on Farnum Ground. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between private educational institutions and regulatory authorities in Guyana.

In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities in Guyana uncovered a cache of illegal items during a raid at a residence in Cromarty Farm, Corentyne, East Berbice. The Guyana Police Force reported the discovery of a .32 caliber firearm, ammunition, and suspected marijuana on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The search, conducted by senior officers, led to the arrest of two individuals: a 43-year-old farmer and his 55-year-old partner, who works part-time. The firearm and one round of ammunition were found concealed under a mattress in a bedroom. Additionally, two more rounds of ammunition and small transparent Ziplock bags containing eight grams of leaves, seeds, and stems believed to be cannabis were discovered in another part of the house. Ballistic experts are set to examine the firearm to confirm its specifications. This operation highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat illegal activities in the region.

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore has firmly stated that the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) does not possess exclusive parking rights on Charlotte and Wellington streets. This declaration followed a heated confrontation between a church representative and a member of the public over parking space outside the church. The dispute escalated when the church representative claimed the area was a ‘private zone,’ a statement vehemently denied by the individual involved. The altercation, captured on video, saw the church representative act aggressively, even brandishing a cutlass, which was quickly removed by another church associate. Mayor Mentore expressed his disappointment with the pastor’s behavior, emphasizing that the city council had never granted the church any reserved parking privileges. City workers were dispatched to remove any ‘No Parking’ signs and ensure public access to the parking area. The incident, monitored by government CCTV, underscores the tension between public rights and perceived private claims in urban spaces.

In a series of coordinated operations on Sunday morning, the Guyana Police Force apprehended four individuals in the areas of Plaisance and Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Among those arrested was a 32-year-old taxi driver from North Sparendaam, who is suspected of cattle rustling. Authorities have yet to release extensive details about his alleged activities.

In a separate incident, a 33-year-old construction worker from Vryheid’s Lust was detained for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm. Additionally, two other individuals were arrested during a raid on a property in Better Hope South, where suspected marijuana was discovered. One of these individuals is a 26-year-old gold miner from Britton Street, Plaisance, while the other is a 48-year-old construction worker from Better Hope South.

Police reported that 248 grams of suspected narcotics were found on the gold miner, while 63.5 grams were discovered in a wardrobe belonging to the construction worker. Both were taken to the Sparendaam Police Station, where the substances were weighed and logged as evidence. Furthermore, 1,411 grams of suspected marijuana were found concealed in a black plastic bag hidden among vegetation in a yard on Britton Street, Plaisance.

The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address various criminal activities in the region, including theft, illegal firearm use, and drug-related offenses.

A heated dispute over a taxi fare escalated into a serious criminal incident in Mabaruma, Guyana, leading to the seizure of an illegal firearm and the arrest of two suspects. According to the Guyana Police Force, the incident unfolded on Saturday, November 15, 2025, when a 50-year-old taxi driver was allegedly assaulted and threatened by a passenger who brandished a handgun during a disagreement over the fare. The driver promptly reported the incident to the authorities. In response, police launched an early morning operation on Sunday, November 16, 2025, resulting in the detention of two construction workers, aged 21 and 23, from Parika, East Bank Essequibo. During subsequent investigations, one of the suspects guided officers to a bushy area in Mabaruma, where a .22 caliber pistol, believed to have been used in the altercation, was recovered. The firearm has been secured as evidence, and both individuals remain in custody while the investigation continues. This incident highlights the dangers faced by taxi drivers and the ongoing challenges of illegal firearms in the region.