-hands off command led to disciplinary breakdown
An army Board of Inquiry, set up to investigate the circumstances which led to the allegation of abduction and robbery against three former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) coast guardsmen, found the men to be “responsible” for the death of Bartica gold dealer Dweive Kant Ramdass.
The Board also concluded that “a series of actions and inactions” by Coast Guard Headquarters “contributed significantly” in creating conditions that allowed the former servicemen to contemplate and carry out the act. The Board’s report, which was released last evening, also revealed that nine standing operation procedures (SOP) were breached at the army Coast Guard base located at Fort Island, Essequibo River. It noted that although the Board was set up to investigate the circumstances which led to the allegations against its former ranks, the circumstances surrounding the death of gold dealer Ramdass were also investigated. Additionally, the Board was also given further directions to speak with the families of victims of the Essequibo River boat accident that resulted in the death of Henry Gibson and Jainarine Dinanauth and the disappearance of 10-year-old Ricky Jainarine.
Former Coast Guardsmen Sherwyn Hart, 26, of Lot 123 Block C Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Delon Gordon, 21, of Lot 108 C Field, Sophia and Deon Greenidge, 20, of Lot 166 Middle Road, La Penitence have been charged for Ramdass’ murder. Shawn Ageda, 22, Harte’s brother; Yvonne Beckles, 39, who is related to Greenidge; and Viola Adolphus, 32, who is Gordon’s sister, were also charged for being accessories as it is alleged that aided the servicemen in stealing $17M from Ramdass.
The Board was assembled on August 22 and investigations were immediately commenced. Lieutenant Colonel C.F. Kyte (President), Lieutenant Commander V. Burnett and L. E. Lynch made up the board. A total of 19 persons including the three remanded ex coast guardsmen, army ranks, a police officer and civilians were interviewed during the course of the investigation. Investigations were concluded on August 31.
Abandoned location
Investigations revealed that Petty Officer Kendell D departed Fort Island on August 21 with Coast Guard vessel RC 12 without seeking permission from the base’s Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant Commander S. Harmon. Kendell D further gave permission to Desouza D to leave the said location without permission from the CO.
At about 2.30pm that day, according to the report, Hart instructed Gordon and Greenidge to leave Fort Island with him to conduct a patrol at Parika. The men did not seek permission, the Board said, “abandoning the location and leaving weapons and ammunition unsecured.” They subsequently stopped two boats. One of the vessels, on which Ramdass was a passenger, was ordered to Parika.
Hart, upon arrival at Parika, ordered Gordon and Greenidge to search all the boat’s male passengers. The men on that boat were searched twice by the two former coast guardsmen by Hart. The second search of the men, including Ramdass, was ordered by Hart to be done “fine fine.”
At about 4.40pm on August 21, the report said, Ramdass was seen sitting at the Parika Stelling on an old boat speaking to the three coastguardsmen. He was then seen leaving the Parika Stelling in Coast Guard vessel RC 12 which departed in the direction of Bartica. RC 12 was being commanded and driven by Hart and travelled past the army’s Fort Island base that August 21 afternoon and stopped at Caiman Hole. The report added, “At Caiman Hole Mr. Ramdass was strip searched and a search was conducted on his belongings where a quantity of money was discovered. A scuffle ensured between himself and LT Hart during which he was pushed over board.”
The trio then left Caiman Hole and proceeded back to Fort Island where their booty was split. Hart, Gordon and Greenidge called their respective relatives to collect the money, according to the report. At 6pm that day, despite being instructed by their superior Kendell D not to leave, the trio again left the Fort Island base unprotected and headed to Parika in the army’s vessel where they gave their respective portions of the stolen money to their relatives. However, the men’s relatives were subsequently arrested at a police roadblock along the West Coast Demerara and the trio was later arrested. Police, the report said extracted confessions from them and they aided in the discovery of Ramdass’ body, which was found in the vicinity of Caiman Hole on August 22.
Hands off attitude
According to SOPs, Petty Officer Kendell D should not have left the Fort Island base for a day or more with the permission of the CO Harmon nor should he have granted time off to Desouza D without the CO’s approval. It was during the absence of Kendell D and Desouza D that the trio conducted their misdeeds. Further, other SOPs breached included regular patrol reports not being sent to Coast Guard Headquarters, patrol programmes were not prepared and sent for approval, operation of RC 12 without the permission from Kendell and the fact that there was no established form of communication between Headquarters and Fort Island.
The Board noted that Coast Guards Headquarters “failed to recognize the signs that LR Hart possessed the proclivity of insubordinate behavior” and that the “hands off” attitude by CO Harmon contributed to the breakdown in discipline at his base. The CO, the report continued, failed to address the issue directly despite receiving a verbal report of illegal activities carried out by the former ranks stationed at Fort Island. Harmon delegated that report to Kendell D.
The Board also said that selection and posting of Hart was not done by Harmon and it was highlighted that Hart’s actions were in a no way “a spin off from the lack of any order(s) but his intent to disobey instructions when given.” However, the board added that “The lack of foresight by the Headquarters Coast Guard to properly administer location Fort Island may have contributed to the ratings conducting illegal activities.”
Hart, Gordon and Greenidge were found to be “responsible for the demise of” Ramdass, the report noted. Further, Kendell D’s absence from the location that day provided a “window of opportunity” for the trio to abduct, rob and kill Ramdass. Further, the investigations revealed that Hart was posted to Fort Island by DSM Heywood D, despite the fact that it was not approved by the CO Harmon. “Whilst LR Hart’s criminal intent could not have been foreseen on the said day,” the board said, “a series of actions and inactions by Headquarters Coast Guard contributed significantly in creating conditions that allowed” Hart, Gordon and Greenidge “to contemplate and carry out such a dastardly act.”
Based on its findings, the Board recommended that the Location Commander should be of no less a rank than a Sub-Lieutenant. Also, it said that there should be written Orders that cater for the kind of operational duties conducted at Fort Island. The Board said too that locations should be visited at least once monthly by the OC. Further, it proposed that the Commander of the Coast Guard conduct a refresher exercise of the Coast Guard SOPs for the officers and senior ratings and that a review be done of the operations in District one and six so as to ensure that it is in keeping with SOPs.
The Board also said that investigations done by the G2 branch on matters of harassment must be pursued until the complainants are found. Also, it held that civil military relationship between the residents of Fort Island and the Essequibo riverain area should be intensified.
Additionally, it is recommended that a secured communication system should be set up at Fort Island, and intermediary measures put in place if it is not possible in the short term. The Board recommended too that a tracking device should be installed on vessels that are deployed in different districts.
