The report by the inter-agency taskforce into the theft from a private jet at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri last month was yesterday handed over to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.
Earlier this month, the minister had informed that government had set up an inter-agency taskforce to investigate and provide recommendations, following the incident for which a man has already confessed and been jailed.
In a Ministry of Public Works release yesterday, Edghill said the report presents a holistic view and evaluation of the airport’s security operations with the sole intention of improving these systems.
He said that “The final report will be presented to cabinet for review and immediate action.”
The report was prepared by the Airport Security Taskforce, which includes representatives from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Customs, Immigration, Guyana Police Force, Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit, Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Fire Service.
On the 26th of October, a private McDonnell Douglas MD-87 bearing registration Number N111RE landed at the CJIA with a delegation of business persons.
When the pilot and the delegation returned on October 28th to depart, they noticed that the door lock seal for the passenger’s door and the baggage compartment had been broken, and on examination of the aircraft that a number of items were missing. These included over 15 bottles of wine and other high end alcohol, clothing, a step ladder and small electronic items.
An alarm was raised and police called in.
Albert Rajram also known as ‘Bunny’ who lived not far away at Circuit Road was arrested and questioned, during which he reportedly confessed to committing the crime. He later appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court Two and pled guilty to two counts of break and enter and larceny. He was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment on each charge. The sentences will run concurrently.
Civil aviation authority sources told this newspaper that while to locals it may seem as petty theft, the reputation of this country’s aviation sector has been brought into disrepute.
“The public may look at the items stolen and see it as small but the security breach is what really is serious. We will have IATA (International Air Transport Association), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the US’ FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), Homeland Security and all other security agencies from other countries coming down on Guyana. This makes this country look like a joke,” a source said.
