Guyanese man arrested in Suriname for diesel smuggling

A 31-year-old Guyanese man was arrested by the Regional Assistance Team West (RBTW) on Saturday, after being found in possession of a large quantity of diesel allegedly smuggled from Guyana, according to Suriname U‑News. Police in the Dutch-speaking country said officers responded to a report of a white-painted container pickup truck carrying suspected illegal diesel at a residence on Delhiweg. During surveillance, the vehicle was located on the driveway of the home. Upon inspection, authorities discovered three large drums containing approximately 3,000 litres of diesel, reportedly intended for storage at the suspect’s company. The man, identified only as NS, admitted that the fuel was imported without proper documentation. The homeowner told police that NS had asked permission to park on her driveway, claiming engine trouble. Security camera footage from the property has been secured to aid the investigation. NS was handed over to the Regional West Criminal Investigation Department for arraignment before an Assistant Public Prosecutor.

The pickup truck, the barrels of diesel, and a mobile phone were seized, and the vehicle was transported to the Corantijn Police Station.
Police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to probe the smuggling operation.
Smuggling of goods, including fuel, has long been a feature of the porous border between Guyana and Suriname along the Corentyne River. Customs officials and border security sources have described this area as difficult to fully monitor, with unofficial landing points where vehicles and small vessels can cross without stringent checks, making it a route often exploited for illicit trade of various commodities. In late 2025, Surinamese authorities intercepted multiple fuel‑smuggling operations believed to have originated in Guyana, seizing thousands of litres of gasoline and arresting several suspects in the West Region and Nickerie district.