captains, man in custody
The captains of three trawlers and a man who was on board one of them are currently in police custody after a search of the vessels came up with a single round of ammunition and two telescopic sights on Saturday.
Crime Chief Seelal Persaud confirmed the find to Stabroek News yesterday.
According to a press release from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Coast Guard, acting on a tip, interdicted the MV Champagne, Daddy’s Boy and Lucky Lady II, which were moored alongside Muneshwer’s Wharf.
The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the police were called in, the GDF said, “following information that [the vessels] were involved in arms and ammunition smuggling”. Searches unearthed one .22 round of ammunition and two telescopic sights, the army said.
The vessels were detained and escorted to the Coast Guard headquarters at Ruimveldt and the crews were handed over to the police.
Up to yesterday afternoon, the police were awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on how to treat with the men in custody.
Stabroek News understands that the vessels belong to a well-known fishing establishment and once the law enforcement officers learnt of the new arrivals suspicion arose.
