A police raid that unearthed cannabis and ammunition left three houses ransacked and occupants’ wondering if the destruction was warranted.
According to the police between 13:40 and 15:30 hours, a Gazetted Police Officer and a party of police ranks executed search warrants at Lots 173 and 171 Ogle Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara. In the Lot 173 building, the police found five transparent zip lock plastic bags containing cannabis in a small box as well as US$40 and $170,000 in a barrel.
Police said they took possession of the cannabis and money and a 28-year-old woman was arrested. They subsequently searched two buildings at Lot 171 where they found 417 suspected .22 rounds of ammunition along with a 12 gauge cartridge in the kitchen.
A further search was conducted and four .32 rounds of ammunition and one 9mm round of ammunition were found in a red and black box. The items and the female who was arrested were carried to the Beterverwagting Police Station. The cannabis was weighed and amounted to 7 grams. Investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, occupants are calling for answers at the way the police executed their duty. They have accused police officers of theft and unnecessary destruction of properties. One of the occupants who wished not to be named said that he was in the house when the police broke open the doors and started destroying household items. Mattresses were ripped from the bed frames and thrown outside and the furniture overturned. Mirrors, a washing machine, wares among other items were also destroyed.
The occupant stated that they were all ushered outside and after the police were done searching and left they saw smoke emanating from the building. They are unclear how the fire developed but they managed to contain it. He said they were shocked to see the state in which the police left the building. Part of the ceiling was destroyed and a section of the wall broken.
Due to its condition, occupants expressed fear of staying at the house as all the doors had been broken. They noted that even though the police were conducting a search, the manner in which it was done does not seem to be in keeping with the law as children are residing in two of the houses.
The owner of the building where the ammunition was found told Stabroek News that the house has been vacant for several years and she is uncertain as to whether the police actually found the ammunition as all they showed her was a sock on her arrival at the premises. She has accused to police of theft of multiple items including wares.
Occupants are calling for an investigation into the matter.
