Brazilians claim aircraft was stolen, fail to produce evidence – Harmon

Illegal aircraft seized in Region 9

…says Police investigation completed, report with Ramjattan

State Minister Joseph Harmon said that Brazilian authorities are claiming ownership of the twin-engine Beechcraft Kingair aircraft that was discovered landed at an illegal airstrip in Region 9 over a month ago.
He added that the authorities told Guyanese investigators that the aircraft was

stolen, but they are not forthcoming with the evidence to support their claim.
He said that following the claim, the investigators, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Guyana, requested additional information, but it was not forthcoming.
Harmon recently told the media that the investigators believe there may have been some collusion between some Police officers in the Region 9 area, who first discovered the aircraft, and the men who reportedly fled the scene as other officers moved in. However, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said that several ranks have been transferred from the area, but noted that that does not suggest that they are guilty of any wrongdoing.
At his post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Harmon said the investigators have wrapped up their investigation and Ramjattan is in possession of the report. Ramjattan, when asked about the report, was unsure whether he was in possession of the document, but indicated that he may have it on his desk but is yet to look at the findings and recommendations.
Acting on information, a team from ‘F’ Division visited the area in Santa Fe Rupununi, and discovered a 5,400-foot long, 45-foot wide airstrip that appeared to have undergone recent repairs. This strip had been discovered and destroyed by the GDF only a few years ago. The aircraft landed while the ranks were making their way back to the airstrip. They reported that they saw some persons running into the bush.
A history of the aircraft shows that it was owned by 11 companies in the past 27 years. The Beechcraft Kingair aircraft is currently registered to Banco Brandesco – one of Brazil’s third largest banks — but a mining company named Riwa SA Incorporated Investments and Participants operates the aircraft.
Just last month, Wazim King, a 37-year-old driver, and Nathan Hamilton, 21-year-old excavator operator, both of Lethem, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman, jointly charged with conspiracy. It is alleged that between August 10 and August 13, 2017 at Santa Fe, Rupununi, Region 9, they conspired with Hutshan Ramsingh, known as Ceon Singh, to facilitate the illegal landing of an aircraft suspected to be involved in the trafficking of narcotics and firearms’ smuggling at an illegal port of entry. They were both remanded to prison, but Police are still searching for the businessman. (Lakhram Bhagirat)