标签： Guyana

A disturbing security failure occurred at the Parika Police Station in East Bank Essequibo, Guyana, in the early hours of Sunday, February 8th, 2026. An assault victim seeking refuge at the station was violently attacked within the police compound itself, raising serious concerns about procedural safeguards and officer presence.

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond publicly acknowledged the institutional lapse, confirming that police presence was insufficient at the time of the incident. “It’s clear that there was a lapse there in terms of police presence at the police station,” Minister Walrond stated to reporters. She further indicated that Deputy Police Commissioner Errol Watts has been directed to address the matter with utmost seriousness.

According to official reports from the Guyana Police Force and social media evidence, the victim had arrived at the station to report a previous assault when his alleged aggressor forcibly entered the premises. CCTV footage captured the assailant confronting and repeatedly striking the victim within the station’s compound, despite the location being designated as a place of safety.

Law enforcement personnel present during the altercation eventually intervened, apprehending the 33-year-old assailant from Farm, East Bank Essequibo. The victim received medical examination at De Kinderen Regional Hospital and was deemed stable before departing the facility. Meanwhile, the attacker remains in custody, formally charged with wounding.

The Guyana Police Force issued a strong condemnation of the incident, emphasizing that police premises must remain zones of safety and lawful redress. All relevant CCTV recordings have been secured as part of an ongoing investigation into the breach of security protocols.

A scheduled extradition hearing for prominent Guyanese businessman Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed was unexpectedly postponed on Monday, February 9, 2026, after the defendant reported falling seriously ill. The development has temporarily stalled judicial proceedings that would determine whether Mohamed and his son Azruddin should be extradited to the United States to face serious financial crime charges.

Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman rescheduled the committal hearing for February 16, 2026, following representations from defense attorney Siand Dhurjon regarding Mohamed’s medical condition. The prosecution, led by Guyanese attorney Glenn Hanoman representing US interests, attempted to secure a commitment for formal medical documentation from Mohamed’s physician but was unsuccessful in this endeavor.

The Mohamed family faces substantial allegations from US authorities, including charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and international money laundering operations connected to their gold trading enterprises. These charges would be adjudicated in a federal court in Florida if extradition is approved.

The hearing’s postponement additionally affected planned testimony from Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Sharon Roochand-Edwards, who was expected to undergo cross-examination. The absence of lead prosecutor Terrence Williams, a Jamaican attorney engaged in overseas commitments, further complicated the day’s proceedings.

This case represents a significant international legal collaboration between Guyanese and American judicial authorities, highlighting increased cross-border enforcement efforts against sophisticated financial crimes.

In a dramatic Sunday operation, Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) apprehended two suspects and confiscated over 18 pounds of cocaine following an intense high-speed chase that resulted in multiple agency vehicle collisions.

The pursuit initiated when CANU officers attempted to intercept a Volkswagen vehicle (PAL 4117) driven by Shaquille Gordon. Instead of complying, Gordon accelerated away from the scene, triggering a high-speed pursuit through city streets. During the chase, the fleeing suspect attempted evasive maneuvers that caused collisions involving several CANU enforcement vehicles.

Critical evidence emerged when officers observed a brown cardboard box being hurled from the speeding Volkswagen along Sheriff Street. While some agents stopped to retrieve the discarded package, others continued the pursuit, ultimately intercepting the vehicle at the intersection of Rupert Craig Highway and Sheriff Street.

Simultaneously, CANU officials detained Ravindranauth Persaud, driver of a minibus (license BAB 6337), though the agency has not disclosed the specific nature of his alleged involvement in the incident.

At the scene, both suspects were presented with the recovered cardboard box. A thorough search conducted in their presence revealed seven brick-shaped parcels suspected to contain narcotics. The suspects were subsequently transported to CANU Headquarters where forensic testing confirmed the substance as cocaine with a total weight of approximately 8.226 kilograms (18.135 pounds).

The successful interception represents a significant blow to narcotics trafficking operations in the region, demonstrating CANU’s continued vigilance against drug smuggling activities despite the risks involved in high-speed enforcement operations.

In a significant law enforcement operation in Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, authorities have apprehended a 42-year-old local businesswoman and a 36-year-old driver from Bamia, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The Guyana Police Force announced the arrests on Sunday, February 8, 2026, following the discovery of an illegal arsenal and substantial narcotics cache.

The operation unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 AM when police, acting on intelligence, conducted a search of a motor lorry parked at the businesswoman’s residence. During their inspection, law enforcement officials uncovered 4.536 kilograms of marijuana concealed in a haversack behind the driver’s seat.

Further investigation revealed an even more concerning discovery: three 9mm pistols and nine .32 caliber rounds of ammunition strategically hidden within the vehicle alongside the suspected cannabis. The weapons and ammunition were allegedly concealed in compartments designed to avoid detection.

The simultaneous seizure of both firearms and narcotics suggests potential connections to broader criminal networks operating in the region. Police have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the intended destination and purpose of these illegal items, as well as possible connections to other criminal activities.

Both suspects remain in custody as authorities continue their investigation into what appears to be a sophisticated operation involving multiple illegal commodities. The case highlights ongoing concerns about weapon and drug trafficking in the region and represents a significant achievement for local law enforcement efforts.

In a violent incident that has shocked Guyana’s mining community, 55-year-old gold miner John José Marciano was brutally murdered at a remote mining camp in the Middle Mazaruni River region. The attack occurred during the early hours of Saturday morning at the 14 Miles, Issano mining location, approximately 36 hours before authorities made two arrests in connection with the case.

Law enforcement officials have confirmed the apprehension of two suspects: a 35-year-old female cook from Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, and a 19-year-old gold miner from Tapakuma, Essequibo Coast. The younger suspect was captured in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at approximately 7:45 AM on Sunday, following an intensive manhunt operation.

According to police reports, the grim discovery was made when Marciano was found slumped on the ground within his mining camp compound, bearing multiple chop wounds across his body. Investigators recovered a cutlass—believed to be the murder weapon—in close proximity to the victim’s remains. The Guyana Police Force has not yet disclosed potential motives or the exact circumstances that precipitated the violent altercation, stating only that ‘an incident reportedly occurred during the early morning hours.’

The remote location of the crime scene at 14 Miles, Issano presents significant challenges for forensic investigation and evidence collection. This violent episode highlights the ongoing security concerns within Guyana’s gold mining regions, where isolated camps and valuable mineral resources sometimes create volatile environments. The case continues to undergo active investigation as authorities work to reconstruct the events leading to this tragic outcome.

In a coordinated early morning operation on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Guyanese authorities discovered 77 Cuban nationals at a residential property in Georgetown who may be victims of human trafficking. The joint task force, comprising specialists from the Trafficking in Persons Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, and personnel from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Human Services and Social Security, executed the operation at approximately 12:03 AM at a building situated at the intersection of Charlotte and Albert Streets.

The investigation was triggered by allegations that the individuals’ travel documents were being unlawfully withheld pending payment of outstanding debts. According to official statements from the Guyana Police Force, the Cubans reported entering Guyana through credit arrangements, after which their passports were allegedly confiscated until they settled financial obligations.

Following thorough screening procedures conducted at the scene, all 77 individuals were transferred to the custody of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for comprehensive assessment and potential victim support services. Despite extensive searches of the premises, law enforcement officials reported no discovery of illegal items and made no arrests during the operation.

The case represents a significant development in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, demonstrating interagency cooperation in addressing potential TIP violations. Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains active as they work to verify the credibility of the claims and determine appropriate legal actions.