A four-man Guyanese crew was arrested in Suriname for fishing without a valid permit last Wednesday.
The men and their catch, which included 22 kilogrammes (over 48 pounds) of fish, were detained by authorities last Wednesday evening. They were later fined and released, a senior police source in Suriname confirmed to Sunday Stabroek.
The source explained that Suriname’s judicial system offers the option of a fine “whenever the crime is an economic crime.” However, he stressed, that that decision can only be made by a prosecutor. He added, “The amount of the fine is based on the value of the goods that are being smuggled.”
According to information gathered, a police patrol in Nickerie, Suriname arrested the men after discovering that they did not have a valid permit.
Meanwhile, the source also told Sunday Stabroek that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of fishermen who have been plying their trade in Suriname without permits.
