Police Officers pretending to be SOCU officers slapped with conspiracy charges

Two Police ranks attached to the Brickdam Police Station have been charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for demanding money by menace with intent to steal and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Police Sergeant Imman Wilson and Detective Police Constable Akeimo Simon appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the charges were read to them.
They pleaded not guilty and were granted $75,000 bail each.
Based on reports received, a civil engineer attached to the Public Works Ministry reported to the Head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, that one of his ranks demanded money from him for an ongoing investigation.
As such, the SOCU Head upon reviewing CCTV footage substantiated the allegation, but based on the information gathered, the ranks involved were not officers from SOCU. This prompted an investigation.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the two persons posing as officers from SOCU, whom the engineer was referring to, were Wilson and Simon.
Further investigations revealed that on March 9, 2024, Simon and Wilson in a marked Police car went to the engineer s residence at Industry, East Coast Demerara and enquired about his whereabouts.
Simon and Wilson subsequently contacted the engineer and indicated that they were officers from SOCU and that an investigation was being conducted against him concerning money laundering.

At the time, Simon was carrying what appeared to be a Police crime file bearing the official Police Crest and the word SOCU written on the front of the file cover. Simon told the engineer that he was needed at SOCU for further investigation.
Investigations revealed that Simon joined the engineer s vehicle, with the understanding that they were heading to SOCU s headquarters on Camp Street, Georgetown but during the journey, Simon placed a small gun on his lap and began negotiations.
The engineer maintained that he did not do anything wrong and wanted to go to SOCU.
However, Simon directed him to drive to Carifesta Avenue and demanded $1 million from him. Fearful for his life, the victim handed over $100,000 which he had on his person at the time.
Simon exited the vehicle and rejoined the Police vehicle, which was following them. Soon after, Simon and Wilson disembarked the Police vehicle and instructed the driver to do patrols while they were left behind.
Further investigations were carried out and both Policemen were charged. The Head of SOCU has advised Police Officers not to impersonate members of SOCU to cause discredit to the agency and warned that if they are caught, they will be dealt with, with the full force of the law.