– as police dismantle criminal network in Berbice

A MAN, who is reportedly linked to the notorious trio who were killed in Black Bush Polder (BPP), Corentyne, Berbice, during a shootout with police on May 19, was captured early Thursday morning by police.

The wanted man, Vinod Gopaul, 29, was nabbed in a joint operation by police in ‘B’ Division and a SWAT team.

Gopaul was found in an abandoned house in Yakusari, BBP, by ranks acting on information provided to them. He was unable to escape or put up any resistance as he was quickly overpowered by the lawmen.

An arrest warrant was issued for him after he was sentenced in absentia for a crime, as well as his links to the three bandits who were killed recently. Gopaul, like the trio, has a long rap sheet of criminal activities.

He served time for the murder of his father in 2004 and escaping from prison in 2007 with 18 other prisoners. He was recaptured but escaped again in 2011 with four other high-profile prisoners.

Gopual was further charged in 2014 for a $1.2 million armed robbery of the family of a Black Bush Polder rice farmer, among other charges. He is reportedly from Yakusari, Black Bush Polder and has been terrorising residents while in hiding.

Guyana Chronicle has been reliably informed that a relative of Shivchand Sewlall, 52, called “One eye Papi”, who was among the three killed, was also detained for questioning following a suspicious wound to his foot.

Relatives are claiming that the wound was as a result of a ‘hard boil’ while police are seeking medical verification as it appears to be a gunshot wound.

Sources close to the investigation disclosed that the arrests are all part of an ongoing operation since the May 19 shooting, as ‘B’ Division police continue to clamp down on the support network of the trio who terrorised East Berbice, Corentyne residents.

On May 19, three criminals, identified as Kelvin Shivgobin called ‘Kelly’ or ‘Mad Dog’, 35; Ramnarine Jagmohan called ‘Baby’ or ‘Tiger’, 33; and Sewchan Sewlall called ‘One Eye Papi’, 52;, were shot and killed as ranks of ‘B’ Division swooped down on their hideout at the backlands of Johanna South, BBP.

Police recovered four high-powered weapons from the career criminals.

Ranks have also recovered over 250 rounds of ammunition for the weapons, in addition to bulletproof vests, face masks, several cellular phones, cash, a quantity of jewellery, a solar charger and a small quantity of marijuana.

In addition, they also found freshly cooked meals with no evidence of fire or cooking utensils. This suggested that the men had an outside support group.

Police have been gathering intelligence as they seek to dismantle their criminal network.