…escape with large quantity of raw gold
Sherrif Mining Company located in Kartuni, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is one of several mining operations that were allegedly robbed over the
past few days by at least six heavily armed bandits carrying high-power rifles.
The mining concession, owned by Mohamed Sherrif Harry, was attacked and robbed on Monday of an undisclosed quantity of raw gold. The gang members also relieved a security officer on site of his shotgun and a 9mm pistol.
The workers were terrorised and beaten by the bandits during most of the robberies during which they were relieved of raw gold and other valuables.
Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the six men were creating quite a ruckus in that part of the Region which is not easily accessible to Police.
Speaking with this publication, the owner of the mining operation explained that several of his workers were severely beaten and left without proper medical attention for the past few days.
He noted that at the time of the attack, one worker had gone to transact business and was on his way back and when he realised what was happening, he immediately made his way to Junior Ross Landing and contacted him.
Upon reaching the Landing, the worker saw several Police Officers and related what had transpired. In turn, the Police ranks informed the chain of command and went into the area to launch an investigation. Harry noted that it would take at least seven hours by boat to travel from Bartica to Junior Ross Landing and another six hours on the trail to his camp.
When contacted, F Division (Lethem and Other Interior Locations) Commander Rabindranauth Budhram explained that he received information about a robbery and that a team of Police Officers was deployed to the area.
He, however, noted that it would take the officers days to travel into the area owing to the rough terrain.
He could not confirm if anyone was seriously injured during the robbery, since he would have to wait for an update from his ranks when they reach a location that has a radio set.
The mining concession owner told this newspaper that it was difficult to reach his mining camp by trail and it was much easier to use a helicopter.
He has since contacted Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud to solicit his assistance in getting the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter to fly into the area to bring out his injured workers, but this has posed some challenges.
Guyana Times was told that the Police were told that the GDF helicopter was out of service and it would take a few days before it was back up and running. Refusing to give up, the worried businessman contacted at least two private operators, but they have both refused to go into the area on the premise of the associated dangers.
He is, however, calling on the relevant authorities to comb the area with the aim of apprehending the armed men, while explaining that businessmen in the area were living in fear that one day the bandits may get “hysterical” and kill whoever resist their attacks.
The businessman is contending that the men were speaking fluent Portuguese and Spanish, which suggested that they were not Guyanese. There is one man in the group who is silent during the robberies and it is believed that he might be Guyanese and is leading the armed men to the mining camps in the area.
Reports reaching this publication are that another popular Bartica businessman’s camp was raided and robbed on Tuesday morning. Again, the bandits made off with a quantity of raw gold.
Over the past years, the interior has become a harbour for criminals resulting in the deaths of several Guyanese and Brazilians during robberies. The Guyana Police Force has always complained of not getting the required resources to patrol the area. Only recently, three all-terrain vehicles were donated to the Police to boost their presence in the interior locations.
