As investigations continue into the illegal airstrip which was discovered by the army two weeks ago in the Corentyne area, police yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for a Crabwood Creek businessman who is allegedly connected to a bulldozer that was found on the airfield along with a burnt aircraft.
The businessman, 35-year-old Mool Persaud Maniram also known as ‘Francis’, is said to be the owner of a logging concession in the Crabwood Creek, Corentyne area. Police in a wanted bulletin said that the businessman’s last known address is Lot 72 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne Berbice and he is about 5 feet 5 inches, of medium build and fair in complexion. 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.
Stabroek News made efforts to contact the businessman’s relatives yesterday to no avail. Sources in the Crabwood Creek area said 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, the source said that at least two businessmen based in Georgetown area are also linked to the strip.
Transport Minister, Robeson Benn on Thursday received a copy of the report from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on its investigation into the torched aircraft. He however said that there were no immediate clues as to where the plane came from and who owns it. Benn told Stabroek News that while there was no clear-cut information as to the origin and ownership of the aircraft, there were enough clues for the GCAA to go out and investigate. He said that the GCAA would be making contact with its counterparts overseas to verify the origin of the Czech Republic-manufactured Let 410 turboprop aircraft which carried a Venezuelan flag when it was found. The Guyana Defence Force had seized the illegal airstrip with the burnt-out aircraft, along with a still-smouldering all-terrain vehicle and a bulldozer three weeks ago. The military had said that 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 3600 feet in length and 375 feet in width was longer than the Ogle runway and wider than the Timehri runway. After seizing the airstrip GDF troops 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.
