THE Major Crimes Investigation Unit (MCIU), which is headquartered at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Eve Leary, Georgetown, was specially established to focus primarily on major serious crimes, and has since had many successes. Within the past two months, the unit has been able to solve many homicides and other high-profile cases.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the Guyana Chronicle that the unit, which was formed several years ago during the crime wave around 2003 as the Homicide Unit, has been renamed the MCIU to deal with specific crimes.

He said the unit, which comes under his direct supervision, is being led by Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Caesar, and is staffed with 12 ranks, who deal solely with high-profile crimes.

Blanhum stated that the unit has solved many cases since its establishment and moreso, within the last two months they have been successful in securing many prosecutions, with the murder of Rubis accountant, Jason Cort included.

The senior superintendent told this publication that the unit’s effort is a very concentrated one and ranks will benefit from continuous and specialised training, during which they will be exposed to a variety of courses.

He explained that the training will be done both locally and overseas and so far ranks have been trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Blanhum said he makes the call as to which homicides should be handled by the unit and he is optimistic that they will remain steadfast in their work, since the unit is headed by a competent officer, who was once named Best Cop.

He noted that the work of the unit is very sensitive and as such ranks will be the recipients of periodic training by judges in various topics, including “common mistakes made in court by ranks; and good court testimony.”
Blanhum said the unit relies heavily on support from the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU), which is a separate unit also based at CID, Eve Leary, since they do more intelligence-led work.

He explained that ranks have to be constantly trained to sharpen their skills and it is imperative that they continue to work in collaboration with the CIU, because they are privy to information as regards suspects and their modus operandi, etc.

Some of the more high-profile homicides that the unit has dealt with include the seemingly execution-style murder of the owner of Regent Multiplex Mall, Ganesh Ramlall, called “Boyo,” who was shot and killed at his home on Sunday, July 5, 2015.
The businessman had just returned home from a social outing when he was confronted by a group of gunmen, after which he was riddled with bullets. Bandits made off with Ramlall’s jewellery and wallet.

Another was the murder of Jason Cort at his home on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The 27 year old of Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens, was gunned down in his home shortly after returning from an outing with his girlfriend.
The MCIU, it seems, is on the brink of solving the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, who was gunned down on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Third Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.
Sleuths from the MCIU have questioned a suspect in connection with the murder; the suspect remains in custody, and another is being sought. Eight persons were previously arrested and questioned in relation to the murder, but were subsequently released.
Crum-Ewing was killed while urging villagers via his bull horn to vote wisely.
He was shot five times, including thrice in the head at point-blank range. The former GDF solider had staged a protest for several weeks outside the office of the former Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, between November and December, 2014, calling for his resignation following allegations of corruption, and threats to journalists.