Suspect held in illegal Corentyne airstrip probe
SN, Sunday, December 30th 2007
As investigations continue into the illegal airstrip in the Corentyne
area, which was discovered by the army two weeks ago, police on Friday
arrested a suspect and he is currently being questioned.
In a release yesterday, police said they have managed to identify and
locate the suspect who is believed to have transported the bulldozer to
the area.
The investigations heated up when police on Friday issued a wanted
bulletin for 35-year-old Mool Persaud Maniram, a Crabwood Creek
businessman who is allegedly connected to a bulldozer that was found on
the airfield along with a burnt aircraft.
The businessman, who is also known as 'Francis', is said to be the
owner of a logging concession in the Crabwood Creek, Corentyne area.
Police said the businessman's last known address was Lot 72 Crabwood
Creek, Corentyne Berbice and he is about 5 ft 5 ins, of medium build
and fair in complexion. Up to yesterday there was no word on the
whereabouts of the businessman and a police source said that they are
still looking for him.
Anyone with information that may lead to the man's arrest is asked to
contact police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-6978, 225-8196,
225-3650, 226-1326, 225-7625 or 911 or the nearest police station.
Sources in the Crabwood Creek area have told Stabroek News that in
addition to Maniram, five other businessmen on the Corentyne are
reportedly linked to the illegal airstrip which was set up to traffic
cocaine and conduct other illicit trade. Additionally, a source said
that at least two businessmen based in Georgetown are also linked to
the strip.
The Guyana Defence Force had seized the illegal airstrip with the
burnt-out aircraft - a Czech Republic-manufactured Let 410 turboprop -
along with a still-smouldering all-terrain vehicle and a bulldozer
three weeks ago. The military had said the airstrip was constructed to
facilitate the transshipment of narcotics and other illegal activities.
The airfield was destroyed after a GDF pilot spotted it during a
routine flight in the area.
When the airfield was seized the burnt-out aircraft appeared to have
been severely damaged after attempting to take off. The airstrip, some
3,600 feet in length and 375 feet in width was longer than the Ogle
runway and wider than the Timehri runway. After seizing the airstrip,
the GDF conducted patrols and discovered a 25-ft trail that led for
some two miles to the Corentyne River. Questions have been raised about
the quality of the surveillance in that area considering the amount of
clearing that had been done and the apparent local collusion.
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