Particulars of this offence said, on August 20, at Scoonard, West Bank Demerara, they stole the sum of $4.3M from Shawn Ajeda, property of Azeem Baksh.

Jermaine James, 24, of 80 Amelia’s Ward, Linden and Colin James, of 23 Richmond Hill, Linden, pleaded not guilty to a joint charge.

It is alleged that, on August 24, at Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eve Leary, they gave false information to Inspector Reid, a public officer, intending to cause him to conduct an investigation which he would not have done if he had known the true state of the facts.

With regard to the simple larceny matter, Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, said Denny, a Cadet Officer, was in charge of Fraser and Gordon James, who are both policemen, on the day in question.

She said they were on patrol duty when they received certain instructions to hold a road block and search for the perpetrators of an alleged robbery that involved $17M.

According to Griffith, the officers responded to this call during which they apprehended two persons with a black bag containing $5.8M.

However, she continued, the officers lodged $1.5M and claimed that was all they found.

With regard to the simple larceny offence, Griffith said Jermaine, Colin and Gordon are brothers.

She said during the investigation involving the $4.3M, Jermaine and Colin were questioned by Inspector Reid and they claimed that Colin drove motor car PLL 9051, which is owned by Gordon, to Leonora Police Station on August 20.

According to the Prosecutor, this motor car was suspected to have removed the stolen cash.

Griffith said Colin and Jermaine admitted that they lied and that it was Gordon who drove the car to the police station on August 20.

The latter story, she said, was proven to be the truth.

Griffith said legal advice was obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after which the charges were instituted.

Attorney-at-law Mr. James Bond entered an appearance for Fraser, Denny and Gordon James.

He said there was no larceny by anyone as the officers lodged everything at the police station.

Bond argued that the charge would not stand in any court because the Prosecution would be hard-pressed to prove the case. “The charge defies logic in law,” he stated.

The lawyer also reasoned that the money that was in the black bag could have been interfered with prior to the officers coming into contact with it.

Prosecutor Griffith however maintained her objection to bail noting that vital evidence could be tampered with if the accused are released on bail.

However, she said the Prosecution was not objecting to bail for Jermaine and Colin James, who are facing the false information allegation.

These two defendants were ordered to post $50,000 bail each and this matter will be called again on September 2.

Fraser, Denny and Gordon James were however remanded to prison and will make their next court appearance at Vreed-en-Hoop on August 31.

The sum of $4.3M, mentioned in the charge, is allegedly part of the $17M robbery that was committed on 24-year-old Dweive Kant Ramdass that the officers recovered during the roadblock exercise.

Last Monday, three Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast guards appeared at Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court charged with Ramdass’ murder and their relatives also appeared in court charged with ‘accessory after the fact of murder.’

The GDF soldiers, Sherwin Hart, 24, of 123 Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Deon Greenidge, 20, of 166 Middle Road, La Penitence; and Devon Gordon, 21, of 108 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, were not required to plead to the capital offence.

Particulars of the charge said, on August 20, at Bonasika Creek, Essequibo River, they murdered Dweive Kant Ramdass.

The other accused, Shawn Ajeda, 22, of 123 Block ‘C’ Eccles; Viola Adolphus, 32, of 108 ‘C’ Field, Sophia; and Yvonne Beckles, 49, of 166 Middle Road, La Penitence, were also not required to plead to a joint charge.

It is alleged that, on August 20, they received, relieved, comforted, harboured, assisted and maintained Hart, Greenidge and Gordon who were wanted by Police in connection with the murder of Ramdass.

Magistrate Judy Latchman, before whom they all appeared, had refused bail for all six accused and the case was transferred to Leonora Magistrate’s court for September 24.

The two Privates and a Lance Corporal, who were manning the Coast Guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River, made off with $17M in cash which Ramdass was carrying in a box to Bartica for his employer, Baksh, who is based in the city and operates a gold and diamond business.

The three soldiers told investigators shortly after their arrest that they strangled Ramdass, took the money he was carrying and threw his body overboard in the vicinity of Bonasika Creek.

Ramdass, 24, of 95 Third Avenue, Bartica, realised he was in danger and attempted to solicit help by using his cellular phone. He was however prevented by the killers.

The GDF members took away Ramdass in their boat, relieved him of the cash, murdered him and returned to the Parika Stelling, where one of their female accomplices was waiting for them. She is the sister of one of the officers and was given $5.7M in cash to hold.

The three soldiers reportedly split the money after they killed Ramdass.

Meanwhile, the GDF said it condemns in the strongest possible terms the criminal action of its Coast Guards stationed at Fort Island.

“It is reprehensible and will be met with the full force of the law. At present the ranks implicated are in Police custody,” a GDF press statement said.

It added that it is clear from initial reports that there was a breakdown in the command and leadership structure at this unit, for which strong administrative action will be taken.

The GDF said it wishes to assure citizens, the fishing community, fishermen, small boat and other vessel operators that the Defence Force subscribes to the highest of professional standards and will continue to discharge its mandate notwithstanding this unsavory incident.