Health Ministry staff nabbed with guns, ammo, millions in cash at drugs bond
…tells cop “sir, tek de whole bag ah money, all I want is me freedom”
A young employee attached to the Health Ministry, who was detained by Police in relation to an apparent burglary committed at the entity’s drugs bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), attempted to bribe the law enforcement officers with over $4.5 million.
The guns and ammo found by Police
According to a statement issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), ranks visited the bond at around 13:00h on Monday to conduct investigations after receiving report of a “simple larceny” committed there. This publication understands that there is an apparent racket ongoing whereby drugs stored at the bond would go missing.
“Investigators contacted and interviewed several employees who were fingered in the alleged crime,” the Police station noted.
After all the workers denied the allegations, the investigators proceeded to search a motor car, PAB 3032, which is owned by one of the suspects, a 23-year-old male.
Police found a duffel bag containing a 9mm Luger pistol without a magazine and two rounds of 9mm ammunition, a .380 pistol with a magazine containing seven matching rounds, 20 rounds of .380 ammunition, and a large quantity of cash.
The vehicle owner was cautioned of the offence committed and reportedly replied, “officer leh we deal with this before it reach de station”.
Some of the money that was offered as a bribe to the Police
The man was, however, arrested. He, along with four other employees, were taken to the Golden Grove Police Station where they were kept in Police custody for questioning.
The vehicle owner, during questioning, requested his duffel bag. When it was handed to him, the man withdrew $1.7 million cash and offered it to the officers to drop the charges likely to be instituted against him.
“At this point he was told of the new offence committed – Corrupt Transaction with Agent – cautioned in accordance with the Judge’s Rules and he replied ‘well sir tek de whole bag ah money, all I want is me freedom’,” Police headquarters noted.
The car in which the guns, ammo and cash were found
It was revealed that a total of $4,580,000 cash was found in his possession, which included US$5760.
“The said money, firearms and ammunition were lodged and he remains in custody as further investigations are in progress,” Police said.
This publication understands that Police are also pursuing the businesses to which the stolen pharmaceuticals have been sold.
