Home News Arrest of CANU ranks: “Embarrassing incident” – Head of CANU on Police...
…says CANU remains committed to mandate
Two ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) are currently under investigation for stealing diamonds from a Surinamese while he was detained – an incident which has been described by the agency’s Head as “embarrassing”.
It was reported on Saturday that the two CANU officers were in custody of the Guyana Police Force in relation to simple larceny allegations during an operation in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
On Sunday, the Police Force revealed that the ranks allegedly stole several diamonds from the detainee.
According to a statement from the GPF, the Surinamese national was detained by the two CANU officers – Annick Hossanah and Jamine Goddard – for an illegal firearm.
“They are now accused of stealing diamonds from the said Surinamese national, who they allegedly stole several pieces of diamond from during their search,” the Police said.
The Police further disclosed that Goddard had swallowed two diamonds and was taken to the hospital, where he excreted them.
Hossanah, on the other hand, admitted to investigators that he sold his loot to another individual.
The Police Force are now on the hunt for the individual who allegedly bought stolen diamonds from the CANU rank.
Meanwhile, the Police said the two CANU officers remain in custody, while the Police search for the alleged buyer.
The investigation is ongoing.
Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that sometime after the detainment of the Surinamese man in Berbice, it was discovered that the diamonds he had in his possession were missing. At that point, the two CANU officers were called in for questioning over the stolen diamonds.
CANU Head James Singh had disclosed on Saturday that the two ranks were handed over to the Police Force for further investigation.
In a statement on Sunday, the CANU Head distanced the agency from the actions of two officers which he described as “an embarrassing incident”.
“Not the kind of news we should be waking up to in the morning or ever. You can bring fame or shame to yourself, your family, and your Unit. These officers made their choices, their actions do not reflect that of our organisation,” he posited.
Singh reassured all that his agency was committed towards tackling not just drug trafficking but all other crimes in Guyana.
“CANU remains committed to carrying out its mandate and combating drug trafficking and any other crimes within Guyana, even within our Unit. I wish to thank the Guyana Police Force’s CID for bringing this embarrassing incident to a close and I trust that the courts will ensure justice is done,” he said.
