Disappearance of smuggler’s boat…
– claims report can jeopardize investigations
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is immensely dissatisfied with the manner in which the alleged disappearance of the smuggler’s boat was reported in the Kaieteur News on June 19, 2010. This is according to a press release from the Authority, which further states that the KN report is one-sided and failed to commend the dedicated officers for the seizure of the vessel and the prosecution of those involved in illegal activities.
The Authority contends that citing information provided by an unnamed source (third party) and failure to verify the veracity of the information “leaves much to be desired and contributes to the jeopardizing of the investigation.”
The Commissioner-General has consequently issued a challenge to all media houses to work with the GRA in order to avoid compromising ongoing investigations.
He says, “…in seeking to curb illegal activities, the lives of dedicated officers are jeopardized when information provided by third parties are not treated responsibly.  In the execution of their duties, the Law Enforcement Officers at the GRA are daily confronted with dangerous criminals, yet they persist in the diligent performance of their responsibilities.”
In addition, the release states that it is the view of the Commissioner-General that the courageous officers should be shown appreciation for their dedication and efficiency. To this end, media practitioners are urged to exercise patriotism in their reporting by focusing on the positive aspects of the Authority’s work.
On May 28, 2010 members of the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) of the Authority, acting promptly in response to information provided, successfully located a wooden vessel which was transporting a quantity of uncustomed goods at No. 7 Beach area, West Coast Berbice. At the time of the seizure the boat was in the possession of Eric Mootoo, Boodram and Mangar Outar, all of the West Coast of Berbice, who have since been prosecuted in relation to breaches of section 218 (d) of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.
The Authority says that the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Police Force are continuing close collaborative efforts in investigating the alleged disappearance of the smuggler’s boat from the Customs Boathouse Wharf on June 16, 2010.