Dust is gathering on the investigations into the mysterious death of a Canadian man and the brazen executions of Ricardo Rodrigues and one of his bodyguards and according to security sources these matters will more than likely remain unsolved because of the people involved.
It all began with the execution of Ricardo Rodrigues on October 15. During that shooting Jean Le Blanc, a Canadian citizen was shot in the buttocks and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where surgery was done to remove the bullet. Nine days later he lapsed into a coma and died while still hospitalised and though a post-mortem examination (PME) concluded that he died as a result of complications due to gunshot injuries there are still lingering suspicions that foul play was involved in his death.
Then on October 31, Rodrigues’s bodyguard Marlon Osborne also called ‘Trini’, 33, was gunned down at Laluni Street, Queenstown.
Speaking to Stabroek News about the murders recently, Police Commis-sioner (ag) Leroy Brumell said that local police are still investigating all three cases.
With respect to the two executions, when asked if there was any link found via the spent shells recovered at the scene, Brumell responded, “You know I did not find that out you know, but it is interesting.”
He went on to say that he had heard “something interesting” about the two cases but couldn’t “say anything offhand.”
Sources had repeatedly told this newspaper that the two deaths were linked especially given the timing within which they occurred. The sources noted though that the murder of Rodrigues was linked to a huge gun find at Lethem for which he was arrested and questioned. He was later released on station bail and days later he was dead.
Rodrigues was sitting with friends at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) restaurant and bar around 3 pm when a group of gunmen, numbering about four or five, walked in and riddled him with bullets.
He died on the spot.
It was said that the killing was linked to a “weapons for drugs” trade that went sour which was sparked by the discovery of the weapons and ammunition find.
How Osborne came to be killed two weeks later is still a mystery but recently sources said that because of the closeness of the two, the incidents are linked.
One source said that there is information circulating that Osborne was also linked to the fallout.
According to the source, it all comes down to poor investigating which may be a deliberate action due to the circumstances surrounding the shootings; the person(s) behind them and the reason(s) the men were killed.
According to the source, those matters are closed as police are doing nothing to ensure that they gather fresh leads and get a breakthrough. The source said that with most high-profile investigations, police do very little “groundwork” and would haul in the “usual suspects” who are later released without charge.
Several known persons were held in connection with both murders after wanted bulletins were issued for them by the police. They were all released without bail having to be posted.
The source noted that “everyone” knows the reason behind the executions but persons are fearful to venture in that direction because of the risks involved.
Le Blanc
In the days leading up to his death, Le Blanc who also fractured his hip when he dove for cover after the gunmen opened fire, was said to be recovering well and according to hospital officials was out of danger. The bullet was safely removed.
When he lapsed into a coma and later died police and hospital officials were in shock. Immediately questions were raised as to whether the 62-year-old man had been poisoned. He was said to have travelled to Guyana to meet Rodrigues, which was why he was at the sports bar when the shooting occurred. He had, however, told this newspaper that he had stopped there for a drink.
Canadian officials here intervened on the behalf of Le Blanc’s family and following the PME, samples were taken from his body for further testing. The body was then returned to Canada for burial.
Brumell, when asked about the samples, said, “I will have to enquire what is the position…”. Asked if it is the Guyana Police Force or the Canadians authorities that are looking after the testing of the samples, he noted that the local police are the ones doing the investigation.
“They can probably send persons to get some information but we are the persons conducting the investigations,” he stressed while adding that the samples may be sent overseas if they haven’t gone as yet.
Meanwhile a source said that from all indications the matter is closed as the Canadians, based on the response of the man’s relatives, have no interest in pursuing the matter.
Besides the disinterest of the relatives and the Canadian authorities, there is also the high cost attached to testing the samples.
The samples will have to be sent to an overseas lab since Guyana does not have the equipment or personnel to conduct toxicology tests.
It was noted that the Canadians have the facilities and the personnel to do the testing but they haven’t indicated that they want to do so.
It was noted that the local police have done all they can with the limited resources available to them.
“That matter is closed,” the source stressed.
