One of the hostages in Saturday’s daring robbery in the Deep South Rupu-nuni was forced to electronically transfer money to Brazil, the police said in a release yesterday.
The money has since been recovered and the Brazilian Federal Police is working with law enforcement authorities.
A gang suspected to be from Brazil carried out the robbery and later took eight hostages. The host-ages managed to escape unharmed after the local police began to chase the robbers.
The police yesterday said that they had conducted interviews with some of those released and this was how they learnt about the forced transfer of money to Brazil.
Dionei Faribas De Brito, one of the victims, told the police that they had misinterpreted his account during their initial interview. He stated that when the suspects approached them at a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) checkpoint, he was robbed of $892,000 in cash. He added that the suspects demanded gold from him but since he had none in his possession at the time, they instructed him to transfer one million reais to a Pix account in Brazil. Fearing for his safety, De Brito complied and sent 30 thousand reais equivalent to about $1.2 million Guyanese dollars to the specified account before being released. (Pix is part of Brazil’s instant payment system). Brazilian law enforcement has since recovered the transferred funds, the police release said.
The police further said yesterday that during the robbery, Romain Simon, a 39-year-old natural resources officer, reported that he was robbed of a Glock 17 pistol, a magazine containing 15 rounds of ammunition, and a Movado watch valued at approximately $140,000. Victor Adams, a 34-year-old natural resources officer, also had his Glock 17 pistol and ammunition stolen. Additionally, Karl Antone, a 30-year-old Community Mines Ranger, was robbed of $100,000 in cash.
The police say they have also discovered that two of the three vehicles used in the crime were registered in Brazil. The Guyana Police Force is collaborating with Brazilian Federal Police as investigations continue.
On Sunday members of the Joint Services were on the ground in the Deep South Rupununi combing the area near Bashaizon Village and along the Takutu River in search of the armed gunmen who were involved in Satur-day’s robbery and abduction.
