Five arrested as GEA seizes illegal fuel

Aug 12, 2016 News

Officials of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) on Tuesday intercepted and seized almost 300 barrels of illegal fuel, believed to have been transported from neighbouring Venezuela.   The illegal fuel bust took place at Airy Hall, on the Essequibo Coast.
Acting on information, an official from GEA was alerted to the unlawful activity. On investigating he found five men in the boat where the fuel was housed. They were questioned, then arrested. The boat was later seized and transported to a GEA compound. The fuel was removed from the boat.

GEA officials offloading the illegal fuel that was seized at Airy Hall, on the Essequibo Coast

The boat with the illegal fuel belongs to an Essequibo businessman who sells domestic gas, gasoline, kerosene and other petroleum and hardware products.
The men who were arrested were attempting to conceal the illegal fuel at a bond at Golden Fleece that belongs to the businessman in question.
Upon learning of the incident, liaison to the Prime Minister’s office, Karan Chand and coordinator of Agriculture in Region Two, Naith Ram, visited the scene on Wednesday and managed to unearth information relating to the incident.
Chand stated that the operation was illegal and steps must be put in place in order to avoid a repeat. The police were informed, but members of GEA are also conducting investigations.