Four Policemen – an Assistant Superintendent, a Corporal and two constables – were today charged in connection with the $6 million cocaine bribe at the Whim Police Station, Berbice.
Police said that the four ranks were involved in a conspiracy to allow a man to pass freely with cocaine in a minibus on the Corentyne Coast sometime between September 10 and 11.
The man, Renason Parks, was stopped at a Police roadblock. When the cocaine was discovered, the man offered the three junior officers $1 million as a bribe. However, they demanded $6 million.
They gave the man time to bring the money, and parked the bus at the station. It was at this point that the Assistant Superintendent was offered a share in the bribe ($500, 000) so he would keep quite.
The officers charged before Magistrate Ann McLennn today were Constables Ray Drepaul Saul of Eversham Village and Trevon McKenzie of Princeton Village, Corentyne; 42-year-old Corporal Shawn McPhoy of Lot 174 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Assistant Superintendent Terrance Brown.
Two other officers are to be called as witnesses after they alleged collected $500, 000 each, but later returned the money.
According to the charge Brown stationed at the Whim Police Station, being an agent employed by the state of Guyana corruptly obtained from Police Corporal Shawn McPhoy a sum of money consideration as an inducement for forbearing to charge by Renason Park who was charged with trafficking narcotics. Brown denied the charge.
Brown, a 48-year old father of ten who residences at Lot 273 Sister’s Village, Berbice was represented by a legal body, who explained to the court that his client is severing the Guyana Police Force for over 30years.
The lawyer further requested for his client to be released on bail, since a case of witness temperament could be established since the other co-accused is remanded.
Assistant Superintendent Brown was released on $250,000 and his matter was also transferred to the Whim Magistrates Court.
According to the fact on the day in question the three ranks where station at Salton, Corentyne, when they intercepted a minibus reportedly carrying a quantity of cocaine and a large sum of cash.
The ranks were however offered $1M from the minibus owner but demanded $6M and he complied to pay the hefty sum. The ranks reportedly took the vehicle to the station and the minibus owner subsequently returned with the 6M cash.
However after receiving their ‘hush money’ the ranks took $500,000 to their senior officer as his cut of the bribery.
Two other constables, who allegedly collected $500,000 by return the money, are to be called upon as witness and their charges are being advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions.