THREE armed, masked bandits attacked and robbed a gold dredge owner of an undisclosed amount of raw gold in the Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River on Monday.

The bandits attacked a 62-year-old Brazilian, Chove Oliveira, who is the General Manager of Manuel Mining Company. Two of the men were armed with handguns and another with a knife. Reports indicate that the Brazilian had just finished “washing down” his sluice box and had the gold in a bucket.

He was in the presence of his workers when the robbers emerged from the bushes, stuck them up and relieved them of the raw gold. They then made good their escape and in the process discharged a round into the air. No one was injured. Police visited the scene and took statements as investigations continue.