Police Officers arrested for alleging murdering Brazilian miner

Two Police Officers have now been taken into custody after they allegedly murdered a Brazilian miner in Puruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and attempted to get rid of the body on Saturday.

The Brazilian miner’s name was given as 37-year-old Estevão Marquês Costa.
Based on reports received, the two officers – a Subordinate and a Constable – who are stationed at the Kurupung Police Station, abandoned their post on Friday.
Guyana Times understands that the men reportedly left on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to patrol the area but for some reason left their jurisdiction and via a boat went to a landing in Puruni.
Upon their arrival there, the Police Constable reportedly exited the boat and went to a shop a short distance from the landing while his subordinating officer reportedly waited in the boat.
However, soon after, the man heard a loud explosion and without hesitation, he made his way in the direction of the sound. He came into contact with the Constable who related that the miner discharged a round at him and in retaliation, he returned fire.
Nevertheless, the Police stated that two other officers who were in the area investigating another matter turned up at the scene and reportedly took possession of the .30 carbine rifle which was used by the Constable.
The Divisional Commander was contacted and upon orders that two police ranks were arrested and placed in custody. A team of Officers have since been dispatched to Puruni to further investigate the matter.
On the other hand, an eyewitness told a different story. It was reported that the two Police ranks went to raid a mining camp belonging to the now dead man’s mother. Upon seeing the Police, Costa who was an undocumented miner attempted to escape and it was at this time, the Constable cocked his gun and fired two shots hitting Costa to his head.
After shooting the man, the two Police ranks reportedly panicked and made efforts to get rid of the body. The eyewitness reportedly told detectives that the two Police ranks attempted to burn the man’s body but the other miners created a scene.
All the while the mother held onto her son’s body. The ranks eventually relieved the woman of the deceased after which they wrapped it and placed it in the boat they arrived in at the location.
It was reported in a section of the media that the Police dumped the man’s body on a beach on their way to Bartica.