PRESIDENT David Granger has approved a request to extend the time for the submission of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the discovery of the foreign aircraft at Yupukari in Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted that the request was made by Head of the Commission, Brigadier (ret’d) Edward Collins. The Report, which was due to be handed over to the state on November 16, 2016, will now be handed over on November 25, 2016.

Brigadier Collins was commissioned to investigate, examine, advise, and report on the circumstances under which the foreign aircraft, discovered on September 13, 2016, entered into the country.

Concurrent to the CoI, a Joint Services team headed by Superintendent Hugh Denheart of the Guyana Police Force is conducting investigations, and will peruse and probe the area, an exercise that goes beyond the scope of the Terms of Reference of the Commission.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who received the preliminary report last month, had noted that the administration is looking forward to the final document and its findings and recommendations.

The plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials on September 13, 2016 by a resident of the area. The following day, a joint army and police team, including CANU ranks, was dispatched to the location to conduct investigations. One week later, the Government announced that a CoI would be set up to probe the discovery of the aircraft in Guyana’s territory.

Preliminary findings reveal that the aircraft originated from Colombia — a country that reputedly is a major producer of illicit drugs. The twin-engine Cessna also bore a bogus United States (US) registration, and the area where it was found was on the radar for the illicit drug trade.

It was found that the registration number – N767Z – was actually that of another aircraft that is active in the United States.