Weapons seized in raids at GT, NA prisons

ONE day after the Government of Guyana stated that it had received credible information related to a potential domestic threat, the Joint Services assisted the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) in security searches of the New Amsterdam and Camp Street Prisons early Saturday morning.

At the Georgetown Prison 21 improvised weapons and knives, 20 razor blades, 558 grams of marijuana, 22 cellular phones and five gallons of homemade wine, along with a number of other banned items were found.  A lesser number of items were found at the New Amsterdam prison.  That operation was concluded at 11:30hrs.

“The Guyana Police Force, along with the Joint Services where necessary, will continue to scale up security activities in targeted areas to ensure the security of residents and visitors across Guyana as the country enters the holiday season and in light of the uptick in criminal activity. The Government of Guyana continues to urge citizens to cooperate with the security forces,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

“Of grave concern to the security forces is that the Georgetown Prison was last searched on September 23, 2016, which means that the contraband items haul had accumulated in just

under two months.  The Government will continue to work closely with the Guyana Prison Service and the Joint Services to address on-going security weaknesses at the nation’s correctional facilities,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

The Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force took part in the operation which started simultaneously after 05:00hrs.

“The Guyana Police Force, along with the Joint Services where necessary, will continue to scale up security activities in targeted areas to ensure the security of residents and visitors across Guyana as the country enters the holiday season and in light of the uptick in criminal activity. The Government of Guyana continues to urge citizens to cooperate with the security forces,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

At the two prisons cordons were extended as police and soldiers kept watch on the perimeters, while their colleagues carried out the searches on the inside.

Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels said that the search unearthed cellphones, marijuana, contraband and improvised weapons. He noted that the search by the joint service team was conducted in a professional manner, while a review will be made to structural changes within the penitentiaries.

Police said no firearms were discovered.

On Friday, the government said it had received credible information related to a potential domestic security threat and that, coupled with increased criminal activity, resulted in the decision by the administration to institute security measures in targeted areas, starting Saturday.

It said the operations will be conducted by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

“Citizens can expect to see helicopters providing aerial coverage and an increased number of police officers, along with members of the GDF on the ground in certain areas. Citizens are asked not be alarmed, but to cooperate with security forces where necessary,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

Earlier this year, the Joint Services also carried out an exercise called “Operation Restore Order”, which resulted in the seizure of 44 mobile phones, over 150 improvised weapons, scissors, a quantity of marijuana and tattoo machines among other items.

On Thursday, President David Granger said that a campaign is afoot to embarrass his Government and the Police Force. The President offered the comment during his weekly television programme ‘The Public Interest’ on Thursday and it came a day after People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General-Secretary Clement Rohee’s home was robbed.

“I am suspicious… that there are some persons who are committing crimes to show that the Police Force and Government are weak. We don’t know for sure what is taking place, but many of these crimes have their origin in the weakening of the Police Force in the early days and so we have a very serious problem on our hands,” Mr Granger said.

The President noted that his administration remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure citizens’ safety, pointing out that reducing the high incidence of violent crimes continues to be a priority.

In October, the Private Sector Commission in the wake of the rising crime rate, called on the President to include the GDF in the daily security operations being executed by the police.

Items confiscated from the Georgetown Prison  
22 cellular Phones
558 grams marijuana
9 packets cigarettes
8 cellular phone chargers
A quantity ziplock bags
45 lighters
A quantity of bamboo wrappers
A Quantity of wine
21 Weapons
4 cellular phone batteries
1 arrow
2 scissors
$300 GYD
$200 TT
4 grabber hooks
5 gallons of home-made wine,
20 razor blades
5 sim cards
1 tattoo machine