Shooting incident with GRA officers…Trio granted bail for breaching Customs Act

Jun 15, 2018 News

Ravindra Ramdeo

Trevor Motielal

The three suspects involved in the high-drama Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) anti-smuggling operation last week which ended in gunfire, and two officers being injured by shotgun pellets, appeared in court yesterday and were all able to secure bail.
Thirty-seven year-old Ravindra Ramdeo, a minibus driver of Section ‘D’ Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara, Stephon Motielal, 25, a fisherman of 30 Beehive, East Coast Demerara and Trevor Motielal, 19, also a fisherman, of 30 Beehive, East Coast Demerara, stood before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Vigilance Court.
The men were represented by attorney-at-law Stanley Moore, who made their bail application.
One other individual who was expected to appear in court yesterday was not there, as the police have since been unable to arrest him.
Although the operation and press which surrounded the arrest of the men focused on the bullets they reportedly exchanged with officers of the GRA, it was actions contrary to the Customs Act for which the men were charged.
The issue of the shooting will be handled by the police and that file is expected to be sent for legal advice. It was the GRA which led the investigations into the breach of Customs Act, and it is the GRA which would be leading its evidence against the men.
The men were charged for knowingly dealing and concealing uncustomed goods in an attempt to defraud the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Ramdeo was placed on $200,000 bail, while the other two accused were placed on $400,000 bail each.
The men were ordered to lodge their passports and also make checks with the station Sergeant as required. They will return to court on June 27.