– by persons involved in the scrap metal trade
TWO persons are now in Police custody following a sting operation conducted by the security department of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in conjunction with the Guyana Police Force and a scrap metal dealer.

At approximately 15:15 hrs on Thursday last, two individuals – Mr. Kevin Gilkes, age 25 of 367 Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia and Mr. Silvan Wilson of 246, First Street, Mocha Arcadia were intercepted at the Central Navigation Canal Dam in the LBI/Diamond cultivation.

A statement from the Corporation said the two men, who are cane harvesters attached to the LBI/Diamond cultivation, used a welding torch to destroy cane transport punts belonging to GuySuCo and had the metal secluded in the Diamond section of the cultivation.

They were attempting to arrange a sale of the destroyed punts, totaling approximately eight tonnes to the scrap metal dealer with whom the Corporation’s security department was in contact in relation to the said illegal acquisition, destruction and attempted sale of GuySuCo’s property.

Both men were arrested on a truck with which they arranged to transport the metal to the premises of the East Bank Demerara based scrap metal dealer.

According to GuySuCo, the men admitted to carrying out the illegal act and even disclosed to the Police the full details of their ploy. Up to press time yesterday, it was not clear whether they are still in custody at the Providence Police station, pending charges.

The sugar industry has been plagued by similar acts of vandalism at all its locations. The Security Units are constantly dealing with persons who illegally enter its locations to acquire scrap metal, which they in turn sell to dealers involved in the scrap metal trade.

As in the case of Mr. Gilkes and Mr. Wilson, GuySuCo said it’s security department will continue to work closely with the Police Force and other stakeholders to ensure the full force of the law is brought to bear on those engaged in the theft of the Corporation’s property.

GuySuCo is also encouraging persons with information of these illegalities to report them to its security department, estate or head office officials or to the Guyana Police Force.

All such reports, it said, will be dealt with in the strictest of confidentiality.