Law enforcement agencies on full alert in Rupununi
POLICE, Army and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) are collaborating with the regional administration to ensure effective security at Lethem and the rest of the Rupununi during the festive season.
“We want to ensure that all of our residents enjoy a crime free Christmas,” Regional Chairman, Mr. Clarindo Lucas said yesterday.
He disclosed that he chaired a meeting of the Regional Intelligence Committee (RIC) on Thursday, during which the necessary arrangements were finalised.
The RIC comprises members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) as well as CANU, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), prominent businessmen and community leaders.
He said the security situation in the region, Lethem in particular, was thoroughly discussed with the expectation of an influx of visitors from Brazil.
Contraband activity on the Guyana/Brazil border, the sale and purchase of narcotics, mainly cannabis (marijuana) and the theft of motor vehicles and their transportation to Guyana and Venezuela were among the main issues manifested in the area within recent months.
Security personnel in Brazil had reported the stealing of vehicles from Boa Vista and Bon Fim to sell in Guyana and Venezuela as a growing crime.
Motor cars targeted by criminals in Northern Brazil are the ‘Toyota Corolla’ brand and there have been incidents in Lethem and other parts of the North Rupununi where  they have been found abandoned, apparently after being stolen and ditched.
The theft of motorcycles in Bon Fim and Boa Vista and for commercial purposes in Guyana is another increasing trend of activity along the border with Brazil and Lucas said police, CANU and army personnel have been put on full alert to detect and curb such  activities, while ensuring the satisfactory maintenance of law and order during the upcoming holidays.