Police yesterday recovered in excess of $1 million that was believed to be part of the $6 million allegedly paid over to ranks to release a minibus that was transporting a large quantity of cocaine along the Corentyne Highway at Whim, sources close to the investigation say.
This is the latest development in a case that has further soiled the image of the Guyana Police Force and adds to the public perception that officers are susceptible to corruption.
Stabroek News was unable to ascertain where detectives recovered the money but according to sources the sum represents money which was paid over to two of the ranks. Stabroek News understands that these are the two ranks who reportedly confessed to being a part of the corrupt transaction. The other two continue to profess their innocence.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, when contacted for a comment, said detectives should be wrapping up their investigations over the weekend and would be approaching the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on Monday.
Yesterday’s discovery of the ‘hush money’ further strengthens the case against the ranks.
Though the transaction occurred on September 10, police only issued a media release on Thursday.
The release said the police’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating an alleged corrupt transaction involving a number of police ranks following the seizure of a quantity of cocaine from a motor vehicle at Corentyne, Berbice, on September 10th.
“An Assistant Super-intendent of Police has been transferred from the Division to Police Headquarters, and a Subordinate Officer and three Constables are under close arrest as the investigations continue,” the statement added.
Stabroek News has learnt that the cocaine is worth tens of millions of dollars and that it may have been returned to Suriname from where it had initially originated. At least one known drug trafficker has been tied to the case.
Sources revealed yesterday that police are in contact with two of the persons who were transporting the drugs and are getting the fullest cooperation from them.
The cocaine is yet to be found but a source said that with the cooperation of these persons and now with the recovery of the “hush money,” police have a strong case.
‘B’ Division Comman-der, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, in an invited comment, told Stabroek News on Thursday that the ranks were under close arrest as part of an investigation into an allegation that they intercepted a quantity of cocaine from a Route 63 minibus which had three occupants but did not take the drugs to the police station.
Asked how much cocaine was involved, he said that the amount was unknown as it was not in police possession.
Among the four under close arrest is a woman. The patrol was attached to the Whim Police Station.
The interception oc-curred sometime after dark.
The Assistant Superin-tendent of Police who has been transferred was at the time of the bust the officer-in-charge of the Whim Police Station.
He became embroiled after information surfaced that he was aware of the transaction but failed to take the necessary action.
