PNCR MP Debra Backer told a party news conference that Merai has been “under the microscope” for serious issues, including his alleged involvement in high-profile extra-judicial killings.
Merai was moved from the Department of Development following a shake-up in the force leadership. He had headed the infamous “Target Special Squad” or “Black Clothes” group that was fingered in a number of extra-judicial killings and Backer cited the murders of “the Mandela trio” – Antoine Houston called ‘Yankee’, John Bruce and Steve Grant-and Shaka Blair in Buxton. Backer noted that Merai disappeared from Guyana while he was still due to be cross-examined for the inquest into the deaths of the three men and as a result it was never properly concluded. She also noted that the latter case proved to be “the genesis of bad relations” between Buxton residents and the police force and created the climate for several other developments since then. “The wife and relatives of Shaka Blair never got justice,” she said.
According to Backer, Merai had sought to stay in Canada by applying for refugee status but his application was denied and he was forced to return to Guyana. “The police force then covered up his long absence by claiming that he was on leave, slipped him back into the Force and stationed him away from public view in the TSU headquarters at Eve Leary,” she said, adding “Now that the [Bharrat] Jagdeo administration believes that the people have forgotten, or, are distracted with the torture issues, they have used the occasion to unleash upon Berbice this officer…”
When Merai was promoted to Assistant Commissioner earlier this year there were still lingering questions about a recording of him demanding money from an alleged drug dealer to settle an issue. According to the recording, the businessman had collected a delivery of cocaine from another man who resides on the West Demerara, after the drugs had been shipped by a Guyanese living in Venezuela.
The businessman, having collected the narcotics, had allegedly refused to pay for it and the Venezuelan man and his West Demerara accomplice allegedly contacted Merai asking him to ensure that the businessman paid up. Merai was heard on the tape demanding US$60,000 from the businessman to settle the case.
Merai had later explained to the media that he was really working undercover and trying to bring down drug lords.
