标签： Guyana

A devastating incident unfolded in the early hours of Christmas Day 2025 in the Lower Pomeroon River region of Guyana, resulting in the tragic drowning of a two-year-old girl. Zoria Seegobin, who had been staying with relatives at Grant Atlas for the holiday season, was discovered missing from the residence between 2:15 and 2:30 AM on December 25th.

According to official statements from the Guyana Police Force, relatives initiated a search after discovering the toddler’s absence from the home. The search concluded tragically when her body was located submerged in a nearby trench. The preliminary investigation indicates accidental drowning as the cause of death, though authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Emergency response efforts were immediately mobilized by family members who transported the child to Charity. Police personnel subsequently escorted the girl to Charity Cottage Hospital, where the attending physician pronounced her dead upon arrival. The body has been transferred to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary pending a formal post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that investigations remain ongoing but has not disclosed whether any individuals have been detained for questioning in connection with the tragedy. The community of Grant Atlas, typically filled with holiday cheer during the Christmas season, has been plunged into mourning following this heartbreaking incident.

A prominent cellular phone retailer in Guyana has been released on bail after facing serious firearms-related charges. Amar Avinash Persaud, a 37-year-old entrepreneur from Bladenhall North, East Coast Demerara, was granted GY$500,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

The case originated from Persaud’s arrest on December 21, 2025, when operatives from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) apprehended him on Sherriff Street in Georgetown. Law enforcement officials discovered an AK-47 assault rifle, corresponding ammunition, and a pistol in his possession during the operation.

James Singh, Director of CANU, confirmed that following the initial detention by anti-narcotics agents, Persaud was formally transferred to regular police custody for processing. The defendant, who operates a mobile phone retail business, now faces multiple counts of illegal weapons possession under Guyana’s firearms legislation.

The judicial decision to grant bail suggests the court’s preliminary assessment of the case circumstances, though the matter remains active within Guyana’s legal system. The case has drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the defendant’s established business background in the community.

Legal experts note that while bail has been granted, the prosecution maintains the authority to pursue full legal proceedings against the accused. The case continues to develop as both sides prepare their arguments for subsequent court appearances.

Surinamese authorities have apprehended a Guyanese national in a targeted operation against cross-border criminal activity, following the discovery of contraband cigars during a vehicle inspection. The arrest occurred on Tuesday evening in the Nickerie district, underscoring heightened security measures along the transnational corridor.

The operation was conducted by a specialized police unit from the West Region, supported by the Regional Assistance Team (RBTW), as part of reinforced surveillance initiatives. At approximately 7:30 PM local time, officers intercepted a vehicle on Walidien Ishaakweg in the Corantijnpolder area for routine inspection.

Vehicle occupants included a 40-year-old Surinamese taxi driver, identified by initials HA, and two Guyanese passengers—a married couple referred to as SD (52) and AM (48). During the search, authorities located a sealed cardboard box on the rear seat, which was subsequently claimed by male passenger SD. Further examination revealed five wooden boxes containing cigars, all of which were promptly confiscated.

According to the Suriname Police Corps, SD claimed unawareness of the box’s contents, stating he had transported it from Guyana at the request of an unidentified third party. The suspect now faces potential charges under the Anti-Smuggling Act and the Economic Offences Act due to suspected violations.

Following consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, SD has been remanded in custody pending further investigation. The case has been transferred to the West Region Detective Department for comprehensive examination, while the other occupants were not detained.

A New York man has been sentenced to prison for masterminding an elaborate retail theft operation that targeted Home Depot stores across multiple counties. Manooj Heeralall, 54, of Baldwin, Long Island, received a sentence of 1-1/3 to four years imprisonment after pleading guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree on August 8, 2025.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, Heeralall orchestrated a sophisticated criminal enterprise between October 2021 and December 2023. The operation employed individuals to systematically steal high-value construction and electrical materials from dozens of Home Depot locations throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, and Brooklyn.

The stolen merchandise, including circuit breakers, light switches, circular saw blades, and specialized equipment, was subsequently collected by Heeralall who provided payment to the thieves. He then stored the illicit goods in his home and garage before arranging shipment to Guyana for international resale.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Heeralall’s residence on December 7, 2023, uncovering substantial evidence. Authorities seized nearly 1,000 circuit breakers valued at $15,025 from inside the home, along with hundreds of additional equipment pieces from the garage. Four garbage bins contained acrylic roof coating, rock spotlights, oscillating blades for grout, and light switch wall plates worth $9,576. The total value of confiscated items reached approximately $37,151.

In addition to prison time, Heeralall forfeited multiple assets including a 2004 Nissan vehicle, $2,640 in cash, and all items seized during the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin Santabarbara of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, with cooperation from The Home Depot Investigations Organized Retail Crime Northern Division.

District Attorney Donnelly emphasized that such organized theft rings ‘strike at the heart of our local economy’ and undermine legitimate businesses. She commended the collaborative efforts of prosecutors and law enforcement partners in dismantling this criminal operation.

A disturbing incident of police brutality unfolded on the streets of Georgetown, Guyana, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, when a uniformed officer was captured violently assaulting an unarmed homeless man. The altercation occurred at the intersection of Main and Church Streets in broad daylight, witnessed by numerous pedestrians and documented by Demerara Waves journalists.

The confrontation began when the law enforcement officer, utilizing a thick electrical wire as an improvised weapon, repeatedly struck the street dweller who was lying defenseless on his back. The violent episode continued until the officer became aware that his actions were being recorded, at which point he permitted the victim to leave the scene.

Shockingly, when journalists confronted accompanying officers about the clear human rights violation, one officer responded with dismissive sarcasm, repeatedly muttering “human rights? human rights?” in apparent contempt. Another individual in civilian clothing attempted to interfere with the documentation process, demanding that journalists cease video recording the incident.

Following the realization that the assault was being documented, multiple officers quickly dispersed from the area, some retreating through nearby market stalls in what appeared to be an effort to avoid further scrutiny. The incident has raised serious concerns about police conduct and accountability mechanisms within Guyana’s law enforcement system.

In a significant enforcement operation, Guyanese authorities have intercepted a substantial mercury shipment valued at approximately GY$18 million (US$86,000) near the Surinamese border. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) announced the seizure on Monday, December 22, 2025, following the previous day’s interception at Crabwood Creek in the Corentyne region of Berbice.

According to CANU officials, the highly toxic substance was discovered concealed within a vehicle that had been stopped for inspection. “A comprehensive search of the intercepted vehicle revealed multiple parcels containing a strictly controlled and dangerous substance, subsequently identified as mercury,” the agency stated in its official release.

The apprehension led to the immediate arrest of the suspected smuggler, who was transported to CANU Headquarters for interrogation. Law enforcement authorities have indicated the individual remains in custody while actively cooperating with ongoing investigative procedures.

This interception occurs against the backdrop of Guyana’s intensified national campaign to virtually eliminate mercury usage in gold processing operations. The government initiative addresses grave environmental and public health concerns, as mercury contamination permeates ecosystems through atmospheric dispersion, water systems, marine life, and soil absorption, eventually entering the human food chain.

Following forensic examination and valuation, the confiscated mercury was transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources for specialized handling and environmentally secure disposal procedures. The cross-border smuggling attempt highlights persistent challenges in regulating hazardous materials within the region’s mining industry.

In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities in Guyana have apprehended the proprietor of a mobile phone retail establishment on serious weapons charges. The arrest occurred Sunday evening on Sheriff Street in Georgetown following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

The suspect, identified as a resident of Bladen Hall on East Coast Demerara, was intercepted during a targeted operation initiated based on credible information received by anti-narcotics officials. The operation resulted in the discovery of multiple unlicensed firearms and ammunition in the individual’s possession.

According to official CANU reports, the seized arsenal included one AK-47 assault rifle (serial number A1-72720-20 ROA) accompanied by a magazine containing nineteen 7.62×39mm live rounds. Additionally, agents confiscated one Glock 17 pistol (serial number LVH237) with a magazine containing seven 9mm live rounds, and one Taurus pistol (serial number AHD901601) with an empty magazine.

Notably, authorities confirmed that the suspect maintained proper licensing for the Glock 17 pistol, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the other unregistered weapons. The case continues to develop as investigators examine potential connections between the mobile business operation and the illegal weapons cache.