Guyana, Suriname high-ranking teams meet to discuss attack

Piracy massacre

Following the recent deadly piracy attacks that occurred in Surinamese waters, leaving four people dead and 11 others still missing, a delegation from the Korps Politie Suriname (KPS) of Suriname met with Guyana’s acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, and a team comprising several senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

Their engagement was facilitated as both sides continue their investigations into the two piracy attacks which occurred respectively on April 28 and May 3, 2018. Both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Korps Politie Suriname (KPS) have pledged to investigate the matters thoroughly.
Thirteen suspects presently remain in custody, including “Crackhead,” who confessed to killing at least five of the fishermen. He reportedly was “following orders” to “get rid” of the men after brutalizing them.
“Crackhead” did not divulge any information about his accomplices, but based on descriptions given by the five survivors, the other men arrested were picked up at several locations in Suriname.
Days after the breakthrough, Surinamese Police officer Premcharan Ravikan was found dead hours after allegedly being kidnapped by Guyanese. His body was discovered with at least five stab wounds and one gunshot wound.
Hours after the discovery of Ravikan’s body, a Guyanese fisherman walked into a Police station in Suriname and confessed to the heinous crime.
It was established after Ravikan’s death that he had provided the gun that was used in the execution-style killing of Guyanese businessman Somnath Manohar on March 30 last.
After his death, Manohar’s family had offered members of a gang US$50,000 to revenge his killing.
Suriname law enforcement officials believe the recent piracy attacks were in retaliation for Manohar’s death. However, one of the men fingered in the piracy attacks is Nakool Manohar, brother of the late Somnath Manohar.
Nakool was arraigned in Guyana with only three counts of piracy-related offences, and has been remanded to prison. Another man, Ron Drepaul, who reportedly was seen in the company of Nakool on the night of the fatal attacks, was also arrested, and remains in Police custody.
As investigations continue, the two countries are looking for a breakthrough, as well as to place the suspects before the courts.
At the Monday meeting of law enforcement officials, held in the Commissioner`s Conference Room at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner, Law Enforcement, Paul Williams; Assistant Commissioner and Commander, `B` Division, Lyndon Alves, and others.
The visiting team comprised acting Head, Department of Major Crimes, Senior Superintendent Roberto Prade; Chief, Investigation Department, Superintendent Erwin Dort; Acting Chief, International Affairs, Deputy Superintendent Bryan Isaacs; and Detective Sergeant Jayant Somai.
The visiting team is expected to depart Guyana today, having met with senior investigators from Guyana’s Criminal Investigation Department, and with other intelligence officers.