Mark Cromwell, the ex-cop being linked to the recently discovered arms cache is yet to turn himself in and according to security sources a local businessman who has been fingered in illegal activities is the real face behind the hair-raising find.
Based on the information reaching Stabroek New,s Cromwell might have been acting as the middle man for the businessman who over the years has been the subject of police interest in several murder investigations. He is also said to have links to drug trafficking and gun running though he was never charged with any such offences.
In June 2003, Cromwell then a 21-year-old police constable attached to the Linden Police Station was held in a car with two other men by an army patrol. During a search the patrol discovered two automatic pistols and a number of live rounds of ammunition.
Based on what this newspaper had reported back then, the other two men each had a weapon on them while Cromwell had nothing illegal in his possession. Criminal charges were subsequently laid against the other two men while the cop was said to have been the subject of disciplinary action.
Cromwell called “Demon” was last known to be living at Lot 40 Vigilance, E.C.D & Lot 10 Buxton, E.C.D.
Stabroek News was unable to make contact with Crime Chief Leslie James for an update on Cromwell and the investigation.
So far the police have charged Jamal Murphy, the alleged consignee of the box that the arms were found in but security sources are adamant that he is a “small fish” and that the police ought to go after those known to be involved in the gun trade.
Police has said in a press release two Fridays ago that during the clearing of a cargo consignment at the GNIC Wharf by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials, a cache of arms and ammunition was found comprising two AK 47 rifles, four 40 pistols, eleven 9mm. pistols, fifteen extra magazines for the firearms, 489 various calibre rounds for the firearms and a body protection vest. The consignment had been shipped by a Ron Murphy from Miami, USA. The guns were discovered in a black haversack inside the box.
Stabroek News has since learnt that when the discovery was made Murphy was not present and as such he had to be summoned. During the court appearance the court was told by the prosecution that Murphy told officers that the contents of the box were to be delivered to a third person, identified as David Johnson.
One source told Stabroek News that while nothing is known about Cromwell this might not have been the first time he would have been involved in such a large scale operation. “Over the years it seems he had managed to cover his tracks well and to keep a low profile. Besides the 2003 incident it is now you are hearing about a Mark Cromwell”, the source added.
Sources familiar with Cromwell told this newspaper that reports suggest that the man has left the country. There are suggestions that he vanished soon after Murphy said to be a close relative, was arrested.
James had told Stabroek News that local authorities had contacted their counterparts in the United States for assistance in locating the player/s in the shipment.
It is unclear if the US has made any progress in this regard but it would appear that the shipper is closely related to the man charged and Cromwell.
Questions have been raised as to why guns would shipped from the United States when there is a lesser risk bringing it through the porous borders that Guyana shares with Suriname, Venezuela and Brazil.
‘Not the first time’
According to the security source, the arrival of arms in cargo has happened before and on this particular occasion it was “pure luck”.
The source insisted that the proper procedures to check containers and other cargo were not being followed. It is customs officials who are responsible for checking cargo when they arrive in Guyana.
Stabroek News has been unable to make contact with GRA head Khurshid Sattaur to determine what procedures are in place.
Up to now this newspaper has been unable to ascertain if the box was subjected to a random search.
A source said that there is information circulating which suggested that other shipments have passed undetected. The source spoke of two containers which arrived in the country several weeks ago. The first was not inspected, the source said, adding that this raised concerns internally. When the second container came, it was also allowed to go unchecked and questions were raised as to why this was done. The source said that an explanation was given and when investigated it was ascertained to be false.
According to the source this raises serious questions and would lead persons to believe that there is some level of collusion at the local end.
The source pointed out too that a person would not ship guns from the US without an assurance that it would not be intercepted. “The US people are serious when it comes to gun smuggling…and as such they would carry out careful checks on all parcels leaving and enter the country. Whoever was behind this shipment had to have had the right connections to ensure that they made it to Guyana”, the source said while adding that it would be fair to assume that something might have gone wrong at the Guyana end.
The source conceded that this was a carefully planned operation and more than likely one which had been successfully executed previously. “I wouldn’t want to think that a gun smuggler would send so many guns on the first try…it had to be that this thing was done before and it passed with ease”, the source concluded while adding that “this case is more than Murphy’.
The source stated that authorities here should do everything in their power to get to the bottom of this as they may find that there is a gun trafficking racket involving some familiar names. The source insisted that the local authorities do not have the expertise and resources to deal with this issue and as such must seek international help.
