THREE fishermen appeared Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a simple larceny charge.

The charge alleged that on July 2, 2018 at Ruimveldt, Georgetown four men stole one vessel valued $2.5 million, property of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). But one Shameer Mohamed managed to escape while being in police custody at Ruimveldt Police Station.

44-year-old, Nazim Khan who resides at 265 Annandale, East Coast Demerara ; 38- year-old Taijram Roopnarine who lives at 67 Annandale, East Coast Demerara ; and 29 year-old Hemchand Mulchand were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Attorney Clyde Forde who represented the men applied for a reasonable sum of bail.
Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had no objection, but asked that the defendants be placed on substantial bail and that conditions be attached.

According to the facts that were presented in court by Mansfield, on June 2 the GRA carried out an exercise at Mahaica Creek where they seized a vessel valued $2.5 million.

As a result the vessel was forfeited and taken to the Ruimveldt wharf for safe keeping. On June 2, 2018 the vessel was discovered missing. A search was immediately launched and the vessel was seen being towed by the four defendants. They were at the time in a smaller boat. As a result the four were arrested and taken into custody.

Bail was granted in the sum of $250,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on conditions that the defendant lodge their passports and they report every other Friday to Inspector Henry at Ruimveldt Police Station.
The matter was adjourned to July 20, 2018