Police in Berbice say they have foiled a plot to murder a well-known Rose Hall Town, Corentyne businessman and three men, including the suspected hitman, are in custody, while the person who allegedly contracted him is still being sought.
Commander of ‘B’ Division Ian Amsterdam told Stabroek News that police became aware of the plot on Thursday after the arrest of the suspected hitman, who tried to dispose of a .38 revolver and four matching rounds after he realised that he had attracted the attention of a detective.
His arrest led to two other persons, who were reported to have been part of the planning of the “hit,” while a Jamaican national was identified as the architect of the plot.
The businessman, who was alerted by police, has since said that he is taking extra security precautions but he added that he still had doubts about the plot that could only be settled once he hears from the suspected hitman.
According to Amsterdam, a Detective Constable, who is attached to the Whim Police Station, was travelling along the Number One Public Road on Thursday afternoon when he noticed an ex-convict, whom he had put away for armed robbery, riding in front of him on a motorcycle. The man was recently released from prison after serving three years for robbery.
Shortly after, the ex-convict collided with a car. “Somewhere in Albion area, the motor car attempted to make a U-turn and while making that U-turn the motorcycle collided with the car,” he said.
According to Amsterdam, the detective then observed that the ex-convict, who fell to the ground and got up, opted to leave the motorcycle on the ground and asked the driver who hit him to take him somewhere.
The Commander related that the detective then began following the car, which dropped the ex-convict at Anamayah Street, in Hampshire Village, Corentyne. “He came out of the car and started walking towards the detective, who was behind. At that stage, he pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and threw it in a trench, Amsterdam said, while noting that by that time the detective had received back up that he had called. The ex-convict was then arrested and the detective went into the trench and recovered the revolver with four matching rounds.
Amsterdam noted that the motorcycle the ex-convict was riding was stolen from a Canje resident on March 5th. It was found to be outfitted with a fake licence plate, CG 2898.
Arranged a ‘hit’
According to Amsterdam, after questioning the ex-convict revealed that he was allegedly hired by the Jamaican national, who resides in Rose Hall, not too far from where the businessman resides and operates his business. “He revealed that they had a plan and they were supposed to go and execute it in Rose Hall, where a businessman was supposed to be executed and robbed,” he said. “I understand it was a plan that was initiated by a Jamaican, who it is alleged that the businessman did some business with and owed some sum of money and therefore the Jamaican had arranged a hit on the businessman.”
The Commander added that police were able to arrest two other persons based on information given by the ex-convict. He further noted that it is suspected that the gun belongs to one out of the two persons.
Amsterdam added that the police have received information that the Jamaican has left the country and is currently in Suriname. He said, “We are now checking to track the Jamaican’s travel, his movements in and out of Guyana, where he staying and all of these things.”
He noted too that the probe into the reason behind the plot has intensified. “We are trying to put the pieces together and get all of the persons,” he added.
‘I don’t think he gonna kill me’
Meanwhile, the businessman told Stabroek News that he became aware of the alleged plot yesterday when the police invited him to the station for questioning. “I don’t really know what transpired… This morning I hear that the police caught a guy with a gun and the plan was to come and execute me,” he said, before adding that he has been taking extra precautions since then.
The man, however, added that he was doubtful that someone is out to kill him and would only believe when he hears it from the horse’s mouth. “I honestly don’t know what the guy told the police,” he said.
Asked about the Jamaican national, the businessman denied doing any sort of business with him and explained that the two have been friends for many years. “He came into the country for my daughter sweet sixteen party and he remained here,” he explained. He also said he is aware that the Jamaican national is in Suriname. “I speak with him the night before he went to Suriname,” he said. “I think is he girl birthday and they gone over there.”
The businessman further noted that he and the Jamaican’s boss have also been personal friends for years. “I don’t believe the Jamaican was planning to rob and kill me and if he is working on behalf of he boss, the guy who house he is staying at, I don’t believe from my heart that they would want to kill me,” he emphasised, while adding that he did not see a reason why they would want to kill him. “I am going to take extra precautions now but I know from my heart I don’t think he [Jamaican national] gonna kill me and me and his boss never had problem,” he added.
When Stabroek News asked the businessman if he had problems with any other persons or suspected anyone else with motive to kill him, he said, “No.” However, he noted that he is afraid that persons would want to rob him since he purchases US dollars.
The businessman stated that he regularly receives threats and notices strange people in his shop but added that it comes with the territory for businesspersons.
