– Police Commissioner
POLICE Commissioner, Henry Greene, confirmed yesterday that, since a fragmentation grenade exploded in the Stabroek Market Square last January 5, killing Hilton Lazarus and injuring 19 others, there is some order in that Georgetown area. He told reporters Police have noticed that people have less fear of being robbed, following the placement of a mobile outpost at the location.
Greene said motorcycle patrols were also deployed there and, following several armed robberies in which persons were murdered, it is, indeed, of concern that people are gaining illegal access to guns.

The Top Cop said, so far, the police have been unable to plug the hole through which firearms are slipping into the country and persons are renting them and grenades from
others, who unlawfully bring them in.

However, he said: “We are still working with the intelligence people. Recently, we had a robbery where a man fought with the bandits, causing the gun to fall into a trench. We
did not find that gun but people are afraid of guns, generally.

“We are hoping to have a breakthrough, this year, as to where these guns are coming from, so we can do something.”
In relation to the recent grenade explosion, Greene said that up to now, police have not been able to point to any person, except for the man who died and their understanding is
that he was a “runner.”

The Commissioner said investigations revealed that Lazarus, who did odd jobs around the market for vendors, moved from one point to the other to transport guns, grenades and
whatever else had to be moved, from middlemen, for sale and rental.

“Lazarus was also paid for his services but, on January 5, unfortunately, something went wrong and the grenade went off and intelligence, so far, says that guns were being
peddled around the Stabroek Market area,” he informed.

Greene maintained that people were there to rent and sell guns and grenades but Police have been unable to make a breakthrough in identifying the key persons involved.