The owner of a Guyanese fishing boat is now counting millions in losses after a large gang of men, suspected to be Venezuelan nationals, attacked and robbed his crew while at sea.
Speaking to Sunday Stabroek yesterday, Deopaul Goordeen said the attack took place more than a week ago along the Waini River, Region One.
Goordeen said that the crewmembers were in the process of pulling in their seine around 6 am on the fateful day when they were approached by about 12 men, all armed, who were in another vessel.
“When the boat reach to them [the crew], them chop the seine off, draw gun pun all ah them, stick them up and them start drive the boat and carry um to Venezuela side,” Goordeen said.
He said the items stolen carry a value of approximately $3.5 million.
“Them tek way all them gas, food stuff, them stove and suh, everything them gone with. Them clothes everything. Them ain’t come back with no clothes nothing,” Goordeen said.
Also stolen were the documents for the boat.
According to Goordeen, the attackers placed the fishermen in a section of the boat while they carted off the valuables. After the boat was empty, they set the men free.
He said the men were left drifting at sea for a few days before they were rescued by another vessel.
Goordeen further noted that one of the crew members, who managed to hide his phone from the attackers, subsequently contacted him and informed him of what took place.
He then made arrangements for them to uplift gasoline to return home. The fishermen arrived at the Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) foreshore on Friday morning.
A report was lodged at the Tuschen police outpost.
One of the fishermen, who wished not to be named, told this newspaper that the crew is grateful they are alive.
“Them man ransom everything from we. Seine gone, all fish, all gasoline. Everything them man thief from we. GPS, radio, oil, everything gone from this boat. Them tek away all abe clothes,” the fisherman said.
“Praise God abe come back with abe life. Abe ask fah justice fah fisherman. Everybody got family,” he added.
Goordeen is calling on the authorities to intervene so that the fishermen can receive justice.
He said action needs to be taken so that fisherman can feel safe to ply their trade again.
