Aircraft found at Yupukari
Days after a Joint Services patrol discovered an illegal aircraft at the Yupukari Airstrip, in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), local investigators are saying that the United States registration number on the aircraft is fake.
This was disclosed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday at the post Cabinet briefing. Updating the media on the probe, the Minister noted that the aircraft bore US registration N-767-Z; however, when checks were made with the US authorities as to the owner of the aircraft, it was revealed that the registration was bogus.
“That registration is a US registration, however, subsequent checks by the team from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), (Guyana) Civil Aviation Authority, CANU (Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit) and the Guyana Police Force, it was discovered that that registration is a bogus registration. There is another aircraft flying (Wednesday) in the United States of America with the same registration number,” Harmon disclosed.
Based on reports received from the GDF, the discovery was made following information received by a Joint Service patrol on Tuesday, September 13. The following day, ranks from the Defence and Police Forces visited the area sometime around 09:50h and conducted a search, during which the twin engine Cessna aircraft was discovered.
Subsequently, a team of investigators from the GDF, GPF and CANU was deployed to the area to conduct investigations. According to Harmon, the aircraft was found hidden in the bushes.
“It was off of the airstrip itself and there seemed to have been some kind of a camouflage kind-of net that was thrown over it and it was partly in the bushes,” the Minister stated.
He went on to say that while he cannot divulge much information since the probe is ongoing at the site, it appears as though the aircraft has been there for a few days. However, the Minister noted that it could not have been there longer because the Joint Service patrols monitor the North and South Rupununi on a regular basis and is in touch with the residents of the communities in these areas.
“So they are in touch with the villages and with the communities and that connection of information from the community to joint services is working well for the defence and security of our borders,” the Minister of State outlined.
Nevertheless, Harmon stated the team there is examining the aircraft to determine whether any cargo was brought into the country on the aircraft. “They are checking on that and as soon as we have information that we can release, we will let you have that information,” he assured.
The discovery of the aircraft at the active airstrip has spurred suspicions of narcotics trafficking, which is prevalent in Guyana’s hinterland region. In fact, Minister Harmon had disclosed that that area is under regular and constant surveillance following an incident in the past whereby a nearby airstrip was used by an aircraft that was connected to the illegal drug trade.
