The procedures of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) are expected to see “some” internal changes following the actions of some ranks during a recent anti-smuggling operation in Lethem, according to CANU Head James Singh.
Singh, when contacted by Stabroek News for an update on the investigation, said CANU is currently reviewing the entire team’s actions during the operation, which saw the arrest of a Lethem man for allegedly smuggling goods from Brazil into Guyana.
Singh refused to comment further while noting that the team was expected to return yesterday afternoon after which a discussion was to be held on what went wrong, why and what corrective actions can be taken to avoid future occurrences.
In a press release on Thursday night, CANU said that it is reviewing the need for further training of ranks after a suspected liquor smuggler released dogs to attack ranks during the operation.
According to the release, a joint operation with the Guyana Revenue Authority was conducted on Thursday and Lyndon Franklin, of Lot 470 Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine, was arrested for allegedly smuggling goods from Brazil into Guyana.
Another suspect was also arrested.
Singh yesterday said that both suspects were placed on bail as the probe continues.
The release added that 30 cases of Blackstone Whisky, nine cases of Blend Seven Whiskey, and four cases of Skarloff Vodka were found in the man’s truck after he was intercepted.
During the operation, the release further stated, dogs belonging to the suspect were released into the yard and allowed to advance towards ranks who had entered the premises.
This resulted in an officer discharging a round to fend off the threat of attack after repeated requests to secure the animals were made.
CANU later said it was holistically reviewing the incident to address the need for further training of its ranks to ensure they are able to withstand civilian intimidation.
The agency also asked civilians to desist from advancing toward or attacking its officials in any way whilst they are executing their duties.
Since the Unit’s establishment in Region Nine, it has assisted GRA in a number of seizures of uncustomed goods evading the local ports and will continue to provide assistance to all its sister agencies whenever the need arises, the release added.
A video that captured part of the operation and which was circulated on Facebook showed armed CANU ranks standing around a premises.
While it was not clear whether it was the suspect who recorded the video, the recorder was heard saying “you blocking we from exiting custom compound”.
The person then walked around to record the ranks and as he walked towards one of them, he was heard saying “This one hay is the one that pull the trigger. This one right hay like shoot. He pull the trigger. This same one hay. This is the one that shoot up in my yard. Get his face properly.”
As the man walked towards the rank to show his face, the rank, who was holding a firearm, walked towards him and was heard saying “Move from in front me” after which he lifted the gun and apparently hit the man.
The video then ended.
Review and request
APNU+ AFC Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Geeta Chandan-Edmond said it is expected that Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn will review the video recording of the operation and request a report from Singh.
“It is necessary that there be a review of all the facts contained therein and [for] action as far as practicable within the ambit of statute and administrative processes,” Chandan-Edmond said.
Where necessary, she added, the Standard Opera-tion Procedures (SOP) should also be reviewed.
This course of action, she said, should be completed within a week and the findings and subsequent actions be made public.
“Law enforcement agencies have an obligation to execute their duties and enforce the law. However, those obligations must always be mindful of the human rights of citizens which are enshrined in Article 40 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana,” Chandan-Edmond noted.
“Further, the government and those agencies must consider Guyana’s treaty obligations under the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, CARICOM, Civil Society Charter, the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (“the American Declaration”), the American Convention on Human Rights (“the American Convention”), and other Inter-American human rights treaties, enforced by the Organization of American States (OAS),” she further stated.
