GRA officers shot during anti-smuggling operation in Mahaica River

Two officers attached to the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have been injured after they came under fire during an anti-smuggling operation conducted on Thursday evening at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
One of the officers was shot to the face, and the other was shot to the abdomen. They both underwent emergency surgery.
The GRA, in a release to the media, explained that on the day in question, at about 23:45h, the GRA officers, along with ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), attempted to intercept a vessel owned by a well-known suspect which was allegedly transporting smuggled goods in the Mahaica River.
However, as they moved in, they came under high-powered and spotlighted gunfire from the suspect’s property and vessel.
The GRA has said it is “clear evidence” that the perpetrator was tipped off after the officers came under fire.
“The LEID officers took evasive action by lying flat in their vessel, and returned fire in the general direction of the perpetrators. However, the perpetrator’s bullets pierced the GRA’s vessel and injured two of the officers in the abdomen and face,” GRA stated.
It is unclear at this time whether any of the suspects or any other person was injured during the shooting. The owner of the vessel is also yet to be arrested.
“Despite the constant threat to their lives, LEID Officers continue to fearlessly execute their duty in order to curb the scourge of smuggling and safeguard the country’s revenues. The Authority welcomes the help of the public, and will continue to utilise the resources of its sister agencies to this effect,” GRA stated.
Investigations are ongoing.