The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) yesterday said the composition of fuel marker concentrate has been modified after gunmen stole tens of gallons of the substance last week.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Chief Executive Officer’s Secretariat, GEA Administrative Manager Daren Khan said the composition of the marker concentrate was modified to detect any unauthorized use. “All fuel dealers, vendors and operators are warned to desist from purchasing illegal fuel”, it said adding that persons are reminded that indulging in activities involving improperly marked fuel will result in a fine of $3,000,000 and imprisonment of three (3) years. Anyone found in possession of marker or fuel marked with the stolen marker will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, the GEA emphasised.
It was also noted that the police has been “diligently conducting investigations” into last Thursday’s robbery, with the assistance of the GEA and the public.
Persons are asked to continue reporting any suspicious activities relating to illegal fuel to the GEA Secretariat on 226-0394 or 624-5905.
Around 3 am, four masked gunmen stormed the GEA’s Quamina Street head office and after tying up two female guards, escaped with containers of fuel markers.
Police reviewed the footage from security cameras to help track down the perpetrators but this newspaper has since learnt that the images are blurred.
The GEA had said in a statement that the gunmen entered the compound and subdued the guards with handguns.
They then cut the locks on one of four 20 feet containers in the compound and later left with “two cans of the domestic marker concentrate used to mark fuel.”
