… several arrested as police hunt suspects

POLICE are investigating a shooting incident in which two enforcement officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) sustained gunshot injuries to their hands after coming under fire from gunmen in three vehicles on Thursday night.

Reports indicate that around 21:50hrs on Thursday, the officers went to a house at Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara and began speaking to the proprietor.
Minutes after, three vehicles – one Toyota Verossa and two minibuses – pulled up at the residence and its occupants began shooting at the GRA officers who took evasive action and returned fire. The vehicles then sped away.

The two Customs officials were treated at a private medical institution and sent away. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the incident as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in a statement GRA said three of its officers were the target of the gunfire. The GRA said acting on information received, around 21:00hrs, a team of officers coordinated an approach to intercept a motor vessel and motor vehicles suspected to be transporting uncustomed goods (a quantity of alcoholic beverages and foreign chicken) in Beehive, East Coast Demerara.

During the exercise, the officers observed a white Toyota motor car turning into the street and stopping in front of the house that was under surveillance. The occupants of the motor vehicle exited and proceeded to maliciously shoot at the LEID officers with an undisclosed number and calibre of firearms. LEID officers were forced to take evasive action and defensively returned fire in the general direction of the perpetrators with their GRA-issued firearms.

The perpetrators then retreated to their motor vehicle and sped away, which allowed LEID officers to regroup and exit the location safely. It was then realised, GRA said, that two of the officers sustained injuries with what appeared to be shotgun pellet wounds to their arms and leg. The matter was immediately reported to the police.

According to GRA, despite the constant threat to their lives, LEID officers of the GRA continue to fearlessly execute their duty in an effort to safeguard the country’s revenue and curb the scourge of smuggling.

The Authority is enlisting the cooperation of the general public in providing information and assistance in apprehending persons involved in these illegal activities. A number of persons were arrested in connection with this incident. Investigations are ongoing.