Govt Minister forced to beef up security after WIN flies drone over home

– GCAA issues warning

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek on Sunday expressed concerns about her family’s safety after observing drones being flown over her home and other suspicious activities over the past few days. In her Sunday Facebook post, the Minister said she was forced to request a security guard in light of these events. “This morning. A drone was flying over the home of my husband. Over the past few days I have noticed suspicious activities and for the safety of the family I was forced to ask for a security guard. The drone came so low that a close female relative of mine who had just exited the bathroom felt exposed and ran for cover,” she stated in the social media post. Minister Browne went on to add, “…a series of suspicious activities took place before this, vehicles have been following me since the incident at the hostel where I was bullied, and everyone saw this.”

The incident the Minister referenced was a December 2025 confrontation outside the Amerindian Hostel in Georgetown with supporters and senior leaders of the main parliamentary opposition party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), including its founder, United States (US)-indicted businessman-turned politician Azruddin Mohamed, who is also Opposition Leader. In fact, hours after the Minister’s post on Sunday, the WIN party admitted to taking the photos on Saturday. WIN posted a series of photos of Browne’s house on social media, levelling certain allegations against the Minister’s husband, Fiaz Mohamed Shadeek. On another Facebook page – Team Mohamed’s, a video was posted of the Opposition Leader standing nearby the Minister’s home. Nevertheless, Browne declared that these actions would not dissuade her from carrying out her duties. “I want to let those involved know that this will not move me or deter me from representing my people. My ancestors were a strong first people and as a proud Lokono, my ancestors will keep me and my family safe… I will always make them proud,” the Amerindian Affairs Minister stressed in her post on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which has regulation oversight over Guyana’s airspace, on Sunday issued a firm warning to drone operators. In the missive on drone safety, the Authority cautioned operators that there is a zero tolerance for violations.

“The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority hereby issues this unequivocal warning to all drone operators and the general public that compliance with safe and responsible drone operation is mandatory under Guyana’s laws. Irresponsible and unlawful use of drones poses grave risks to public safety, national security and personal privacy,” the missive detailed. Consequently, the GCAA reminded drone users of a series of directives that are legally binding and must be strictly observed including the fact that the pilot in command of a drone, also called an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), is strictly prohibited from operating the aircraft over or near private or public property without first obtaining explicit permission from the property owner.

It added too that drones are expressly forbidden from operating within 150 metres of any congested area, organised open-air assembly, or within 100 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure not under the operator’s control. Additionally, drone operators must, at all times, maintain a minimum safe distance of 50 metres (164 feet) vertically or horizontally from any person, property, or structure not under their direct control, unless explicit written authorisation has been granted by the GCAA. The Authority further reminded that the any breach of these regulations constitutes a serious criminal offence and will result in fines up to G$1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years. It went on to note that non-compliance with permit conditions and operations outside the limitations specified in the GCAA UAV Directive — Operation and Surveillance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (GCAA/ASR/DIR/2017-01) or failure to adhere to an approved operations manual will result in immediate suspension of UAV/Drone Permit and will be prosecuted as a breach of the GCAA Regulations. To ensure that persons adhere to these regulations and avoid undue violations, the GCAA is appealing to the public to comply accordingly with the above. “The public is urged to immediately report any and all unauthorised operations, suspicious or unsafe drone activity to the nearest police station to the GCAA safety hotline at 608-4222. The full force of the law will be applied to defaulters. The GCAA is committed to maintaining the integrity of Guyana’s airspace,” the Authority said in Sunday’s missive.