The police are expected to return the case file in relation to the seven month old piracy case during which fisherman, Hemchand Sookdeo was attacked and killed, to the force’s legal advisor for further advice, since searches for the other three missing crew members have since proven futile.
This disclosure was made last week by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum who told reporters that he has since requested that the Divisional detective officer submit the file to him.
“We have received advice from the Police legal advisor for us to continue with our searches…we did several other searches, including that of an extensive area where it was alleged that the bodies were thrown overboard, and we came up empty handed”,Blanhum said, while noting he believes it is the opportune time for the police to return the file to its legal advisor.
“I am very certain that she will advise to institute other murder charges” he said.
Sookdeo, 45, called ‘Dread,’ a father of five, of Number 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice was attacked and killed on the evening of May 27 in the Corentyne waters.
His body was found tangled in seines with a chop wound to the back of his head, hours after the attack which was carried on the boat, Rosana 664, which was captained by Seepersaud Persaud, 43, of Number 78 Village, Corentyne. Persaud was thrown overboard during the attack but managed to survive.
Still missing are Munesh Churman, called ‘Boyo,’ 26, Dochan Sukra, 54, called ‘Butcher’ and Dhanpaul Ramphal, all of whom hail from Upper Corentyne.
Five fishermen have since been charged with the murder of Sookdeo.
It is alleged that Ramchan Latchman, 23, of Number 65 Village, Ganesh Naidoo, 41 of Number 79 Village, Ramesh Singh, 53, of Liverpool Village, Stephon Leacock, 19, of Lot 366 Number 77 Village and Leon Sammy, 29, of Lot 1 Number 75 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, murdered Sookdeo during the course of piracy on May 28th.
The men were not required to plead to the charge when they appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court on June 3rd, and were remanded to prison.
