“Offenders must face the full brunt of the law” – Govt warns scrap-metal dealers about illegal copper trade

Following last week ‘s theft of approximately $1.6 million worth of copper cable from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara Harbour Bridge (BJDHB), the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry has warned scrap metal dealers against illegal copper trade and operations.

Two persons were arrested and charged on Friday in connection with the stolen cables from the bridge. One of them, a 39-year-old vagrant, Roy Morgan, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for simple larceny, while 51-year-old businessman Mustafid Pashaw, known as “Mustaf,” was placed on bail for receiving two pieces of stolen copper cable from the BJDHB.
However, according to the Ministry in a statement on Saturday, the individuals identified in connection with the incident were not licensed scrap metal dealers.
“The individual who purchased the copper and is currently on bail is a repeat offender, having been involved in a similar incident earlier this year. The Ministry notes that he is not a licensed dealer and maintains that, where violations are established, offenders must face the full brunt of the law,” the statement detailed.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry also places all licensed scrap metal dealers on notice.
It cautioned that, “…no dealer will be permitted to facilitate, purchase, sell, receive, or otherwise deal in illegally obtained copper. Any licensed dealer found engaging in such activities will face immediate cancellation of their license, in addition to prosecution where applicable.”
To this end, the Ministry said it will take decisive regulatory and enforcement action to shut down unlawful operations and prevent the continued abuse of the scrap metal trade.
According to the missive, the destruction of public infrastructure and the theft or unlawful removal of private property will not be tolerated.
“If the illegal practices within this trade continue, the Ministry will not hesitate to take the necessary steps to cancel the scrap metal trade altogether. The Ministry remains fully committed to protecting the integrity of the scrap metal industry, ensuring compliance with Guyana’s laws and regulatory requirements, and taking all necessary action against persons who seek to operate outside of the law,” it warned.
Some 90 feet of 4/350 KCMIL copper cable, valued at approximately $1.6 million, was reportedly stolen from the Demerara River Bridge sometime between 00:00h on August 23, 2026, and 09:00h on September 1, 2026.
According to the Guyana Police Force, the bridge, which is equipped with LED lights attached to steel poles along its high span, is powered by a generator beneath the bridge. The lights are used to display various colors and were last operated on August 23.
However, at about 18:30h on August 31, 2026, an electrical maintenance engineer attempted to illuminate the bridge in the colors of Trinidad and Tobago’s national flag in observance of that country’s independence anniversary, but only the lights on the northern side were functioning.
The engineer and his team inspected the southern side of the bridge the following day, when they discovered that the copper cables had been cut and removed from the metal trunking box.
As such, the matter was reported to the Providence Police Station, which led to a full-scale investigation, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of the two men.
Morgan was arrested on the night of Wednesday, September 2, after he was caught with cutting equipment on the Demerara Harbour Bridge and subsequently admitted to stealing and selling the copper cable for $15,000 to purchase food and drugs.
Hours later, the Police Force descended on a house in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, leading to the arrest of Pashaw. The businessman, who operates out of Lot 93 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, later admitted that he had indeed purchased 30 pounds of copper from Morgan but could not recall the description and made no attempt to find out where he had acquired it.
Both men were arraigned separately on Friday.
Morgan pleaded guilty to the simple larceny charge that was read to him by Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court before being sentenced to one year of imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Pashaw appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $300,000.
As a condition for bail, he is required to report to the Ruimveldt Police Station on the third Friday of every month until the determination of the matter. He will make his next court appearance on October 2, 2026.