Latest update April 27th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 18, 2016 News
A preliminary report into the discovery of an illegal plane at Yupukari, Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu, in Region Nine, has found that the plane originated from Colombia and may have been here since August.
However, while nearby residents may have known about the plane’s presence, they did not immediately share the information with security forces.
Colombia is known as a major producer of cocaine, with Guyana being a known transshipment point to the US and Europe.
Yesterday, the preliminary report was received by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, from Commissioner of the Inquiry, Brigadier (Retd) Edward Collins. The handing over took place at the Ministry of the Presidency.
The inquiry into the September 13th discovery of the plane, suspected to have links to the drug trade, was launched to determine how it ended up in Guyana. It was found near the village of Yupukari.
According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Brigadier Collins, who was commissioned to investigate, examine, advise and report on the circumstances under which the foreign aircraft ended up here, said that investigations, up to this point, have revealed that the aircraft originated from Colombia, with its destination being Guyana.
“The aircraft was discovered by the Joint Services on September [13] but it was in that location long before that. There is enough evidence to suggest that the aircraft came from Colombia and was on its way to Guyana.”
From all indications, the Cessna twin engine aircraft developed engine problems and “the pilots had a requirement to conduct a certain manoeuvre in order not to lose consciousness and when they got to Guyana, because the aircraft could not start, it remained there for a while. We have evidence to suggest that the residents found that site by August 18, 2016,” Collins noted.
The Commissioner said that during the investigations, it was also discovered that the residents were not forthcoming with the provision of information to security forces and that it is likely that recommendations will include the development of better relations and communication between the security sector and members of communities in those areas.
“All of the Toshaos were interviewed and I do not know why they were unwilling to provide the information they had to the security forces. I can only assume that based on the evidence that I have received so far, that the relationship between the villages and the security forces is not as [we would have] expected,” he said.
Concurrent to the COI, a Joint Services team, headed by Superintendent Hugh Denhert of the Guyana Police Force, is conducting investigations and will pursue and probe the areas beyond the scope of the Terms of Reference of the Commission, the ministry said.
The final report of the Commission will be presented on November 16, 2016.
Minister Harmon, who received the report, expressed Government’s gratitude for the work, which has been completed so far. He noted that the administration looks forward to the final document and its findings and recommendations.
“I expect that within the time left for the completion of the final report that we would be able to present it to His Excellency (President David Granger) so I want to thank you for this report and to urge you to continue at the same pace at which you have gone ahead in producing this Preliminary Report. We look forward to the final report when it gets here, as well as the recommendations to improving the communication in the hinterland and our borders, and the timeliness of that information [being transmitted] to the centre where the decisions have to be made,” Minister Harmon said.
The plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 by a resident of the area. The following day, Wednesday, September 14, a Joint Army and Police team, inclusive of CANU, was dispatched to the location to conduct investigations. It was later repaired, flown to Lethem, Region Nine, and then to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where it is currently impounded.
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