Former head of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit Motie Dookie has proceeded on annual leave as the police await legal advice on possible charges against him in connection with the smuggling of 30 cases of whisky.
In a statement issued yesterday, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force Jairam Ramlakhan said Deputy Superintendent of Police Dookie has proceeded on his annual vacation leave, “to which he is entitled,” on Thursday.
It is unclear when Dookie is scheduled to return.
Dookie was travelling in a minibus along the Whim Public Road, Corentyne, on December 30th, when it was stopped by a police anti-crime patrol and the 30 cases of whisky were found aboard.
At the time, Dookie and the driver of the minibus were the only occupants of the vehicle. The police have said that the Deputy Superintendent indicated that 10 cases of whisky were in the minibus and they were to be used for a party. However, a search of the minibus revealed the 30 cases, which were all seized.
The investigation into the matter has been completed and the file has been sent for legal advice.
Following the discovery, Dookie was relieved of his duties as the commander of the SWAT Unit and was temporarily transferred to the force’s Strategic Planning Unit. Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has publicly said that Dookie should be dismissed from the force for misconduct.
“This is a very serious offence, committed by a senior member of the force. Dookie has violated the principles and integrity of the police force… we cannot have rogue elements like him in the force… elements like him do damage to the force,” he told Stabroek News.
Meanwhile, Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine has emphasised that at the time of his arrest Dookie was acting on his own accord. “That night, I contacted his commanding officer and I was assured that that officer was on his own. He was on his own, doing his own thing, doing whatever he was doing,” Ramnarine said last week.
