Accused Kaieteur Park miners released

Those accused of conducting illegal mining operations in the Kaieteur National Park leaving the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday afternoon after being released. The group, which consisted of 21 persons, including two women and a baby, was flown to the city on Sunday last from Region 8. (Photo by Keno George)

The nearly two dozen persons held for alleged illegal mining in the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) were yesterday afternoon released from custody and although they maintained their innocence, they were served with summons to attend court in July to answer charges that they acted in contravention of the Protected Areas Act.

Those detained were: Calixtus Francis, Kenvil Cyril, Donald Andrew, Aladin Sebastian, Garlon Andrew, Clifford Andrew, Leroy Fraser, Collin Francisco, Phillip Andrew, Rudolph Bobb-Semple, Franklin George, Carlton Lewis, Jason Baptiste, Cecil Baptiste, Bryan Mason, Tomson Edwards, Sabrina Dos Santos, Mark Andrew, Carrol Williams and Clive Edwards.