Venezuelan aircraft released following probe

The Venezuelan aircraft which was detained earlier this month, following an investigation by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has been released.
On Wednesday it was revealed that the investigation has been completed, and legal advice was obtained upon the submission of some necessary documents.
The investigation unit involved the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and the GCAA, along with security officials.
According to the Police, the pilots and a senior official of the Venezuelan Embassy, on behalf of the foreign nationals detained, assisted and cooperated fully in the

investigations.
The Police also revealed that the data plate was subsequently located by the investigative team on the very aircraft, and the log book was also found which indicated that the aircraft had been in operation since 2014.
In addition, all outstanding documents which were required were submitted to the investigators, who later confirmed that they were authentic and confirmed by the GCAA.
The Police said there consequently was no reason to further detain the aircraft, and as such, it was released.
It was reported that the plane landed in Guyana at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a fake registration number, and the Data Plate which contained vital information was missing.
Based on reports received at that time, the private chartered flight, which is suspected to be registered in Venezuela, landed on July 9 at about 15:20h.
However, in keeping with security postures and intensified collaboration with the management of the various units operating at the CJIA, ranks (CANU) were alerted, and conducted a preliminary inspection of the aircraft, during which certain irregularities were discovered.
Guyana Times understands that the registration number of the aircraft raised eyebrows, since another aircraft was carrying the same number. As such, the matter was reported to the CANU headquarters and orders were given for the aircraft to be detained.
The Police had stated that after enquiries were made, it was revealed that the pilots and passengers were invited to Guyana by one Michael Brassington, who was at the airport to receive them.
Brassington and the four passengers reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), while the two pilots arrived in the company of agents of CANU. Two of the passengers and the pilots were Venezuelan.