Abandoned aircraft remains grounded as investigation intensifies
Illegal pl
Officers of the Joint Services at the site
ane at Yupukari
As local investigations continue into the illegal aircraft found at Yupukari, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), the joint services are now scoping the area for any possible linkage to the find.
This newspaper was told that the joint service is of the belief that other such airstrips may be in close proximity to the one where the aircraft was found.
A source told Guyana Times that nothing of substance was found on the aircraft but based on reports from residents, sounds of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) were heard traversing the locations.
The source further stated that checks were made and ATV tracks were seen; however as it is presently, the aircraft cannot move and the possibility exists that it might be destroyed.
Only recently, residents in the area claimed that the aircraft was seen circling days prior to the discovery and were not even aware that an airstrip was in the area.
Based on reports from the Guyana Defence Force, the discovery was made following information received by a Joint Services patrol which included the Guyana Police Force, on September 13.
The following day, the GDF and GPF visited the area and conducted a search, during which the twin-engine Cessna aircraft was discovered.
Subsequently, a team of investigators from the GDF, GPF, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was deployed from Georgetown to conduct investigations.
It was reported that the aircraft had a leakage in the fuel tank and that could have been the reason for it being abandoned.
The aircraft bore US registration N-767-Z, however when checks were made with US authorities to determine the owner of the aircraft, it was revealed that the registration was bogus.
The Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) is of the belief the plane is associated with the underworld.
