In light of a report that surfaced in a State-owned media outfit, which suggested that two senior members of the Joint Services were fingered in the landing and operation of an illegal aircraft at Yupukari, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has denied the allegation that its officers were involved in the operation of the illegal aircraft.
The abandoned illegal aircraft discovered in Yupukari, Region Nine
However, the Police Force in a press statement further stated that the report was prepared after a Board of Inquiry (BoI) recommended that a Police Officer be disciplined for use of excessive force on a civilian during the course of the inquiry and not for any act prior to the discovery of the aircraft.
On the other hand, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in responding to the article, also refuted claims that any of its ranks were involved in any illegality involving the discovery of the aircraft. In fact, the Force stated that the misleading headlines tend to give the impression of ranks being directly involved in illegal activities.
The published report stated that a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a Second Lieutenant of the GDF were removed from their posts following the commencement of the BoI.
It was reported that the final report into the investigation concerning the plane cited the GDF officer for abandoning his post when he was asked to stake out the area where the plane was found and also he has been accused of tampering with the scene of the investigation.
With respect to the Police Officer, the news entity reported that the final report proved that he physically assaulted civilians at the scene who wanted to report the discovery of the aircraft to the authorities.
On September 13, 2016 a plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials by residents of the area. A Joint Army and Police team, inclusive of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), was dispatched to the location to conduct investigations launched into the sightings of the aircraft. The CoI was appointed on September 28, 2016.
The aircraft bearing registration number N767Z, was first reported to the authorities at Lethem by residents in the area. Following the discovery, a CoI was set up by President David Granger to investigate the landing and operating of the Colombian aircraft.
The report was due to be handed over on November 16 but Brigadier Collins requested an extension since he was of the belief that getting more information from residents about the plane was important.
When the report was eventually handed over, Brigadier Collins said his decision to host public meetings in several villages such as Katoka, Kaicumbay, Yupukari and other villages, along with the Regional Chairman and Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine, proved to be a worthwhile exercise, since it allowed him greater insight into the facts discovered during the probe.
