A joint operation by the Police and Guyana Defence Force late yesterday afternoon resulted in the cordoning off of the Stabroek Market Square in down-town Georgetown by several patrol vehicles carrying ranks heavily armed and dressed in battle gear. Also forming part of the operations was  a fire tender from the nearby Fire Department, which remained o high alert.
The exercise, which started around 17:00hours,  lasted for about 15 minutes as the ranks descended on the Stabroek Municipal Market where they reportedly carried out their search.   As the search was conducted, a Guyana Defence Force helicopter hovered above.
Meanwhile shoppers, curious onlookers and  others, trying to figure out just what was going on, were cautioned by the ranks to keep back.
One young man was reportedly picked up in the Vendors Arcade, but was released soon after.
This newspaper was unable to verify whether the search yielded anything.
The Army and Police carried out an early morning search in the East Ruimveldt area Wednesday, looking for ‘criminal elements’.
In this exercise, 32 persons, including one woman, were arrested, pending inquiries into various offences, including robbery under arms, unlawful possession, possession of narcotics and smoking utensils, as well as threatening behavior, a police release said.