Ballistic tests on the spent shells found at the scene of the slaughter of eight miners at the Lindo Creek camp show no link between weapons used by gunmen connected to the Rondell Rawlins gang, well-placed sources in the police forensic unit have disclosed.
Testing of the 7.62 spent shells mostly used to fire AK-47 and M-70 rifles began on Monday and yesterday officers within the forensic unit completed the analysis, finding no match of the shells previously retrieved from murder scenes thought to have been carried out by Rawlins’ gang.
Up to press time last night the police had not officially disclosed the findings from the ballistic tests and when contacted Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud declined to comment.
Other senior sources within the Guyana Police and Defence Forces have also declined to comment publicly on the results of the ballistic analysis, although they acknowledged being aware of the findings. Leonard Arokium, owner of the Lindo Creek dredge has accused the military of killing the miners, but the Joint Services have dismissed his allegations as unthinkable and unimaginable, saying that ranks are highly and specially trained and experienced in the execution of their duties whether in urban or rural terrain.
It is not clear, given the findings of the ballistics test whether the army would subject its weapons issued to ranks who were in the jungle to an examination.
Senior joint services officials have admitted that there were a number of outstanding questions to be answered, but one top official told Stabroek News yesterday that the time to answer those questions was not yet. The official mentioned that investigations were still ongoing in the area and at the end the findings would be made public.
Stabroek News had been told that lawmen who visited the Lindo Creek camp site found evidence of some of the miners being tortured. This newspaper has been informed that one of the skulls found at the location had an impression suggesting that the person was beaten in the head. According to information reaching Stabroek News, on arrival at the camp all the lawmen found were burnt bones.
Resemblance
Security officials believe that the manner of the miners’ killing, with some evidence of torture noticeable, bears some marks of the modus operandi of a particular criminal gang. “While I will not speculate there is some resemblance,” one official said, adding that soldiers would not beat anyone with hammers and burn their bodies.
On Monday the joint services said in their statement that the very conduct of their operations would not allow for such actions. “While we understand the state of mind of Mr. Arokium, having lost his family members in this manner, it is unproductive to directly accuse the Joint Services without any shred of evidence and based solely on speculation”.
They further stated that based on information received from reliable sources, the heinous act was committed by criminal elements they are actively pursuing.
Early Saturday morning, Arokium discovered all of his mine workers dead in a camp located south-east of the country. The men were shot and killed and then burnt. Arokium said he only discovered skulls and bones at the scene. Some relatives of the men are adamant it was the work of the security forces, while others 
believe that gunmen roaming the jungle after fleeing from the joint services three weeks ago might have killed the miners.
Stating that he believed that the army was responsible for the attack and that it could not be Rondell Fineman Rawlins and his gang, Arokium told Stabroek News in an interview on Sunday night that the fugitive would have had to come into “enemy” territory to launch the attack. He explained that the camp could be reached by travelling strictly over land. Driving from Linden and through Ituni there was a “turn-off” 76 km before reaching the Kwakwani junction. The “turn-off” is the UNAMCO logging road which is located approximately a 30-minute walk from the main road. According to Arokium, Fineman was probably moving away from the Joint Services ranks that were scouring the area around Christmas Falls for him and his gang. 
Fineman would then have logically crossed over the Berbice River, the man said. He went on to explain that had Fineman wanted to attack the camp then he would have then had to cross the Berbice River once again, this time moving towards “enemy territory” where the Joint Services ranks were awaiting him. Arokium believes that no man in his right senses would have done that. “I think that the army did it. All the evidence points to the army,” Arokium charged.
Arokium last evening told Stabroek News that on Saturday night when the matter was first made public two government officials, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee visited his Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara home in search of him but he was not there. However, he said later that night he met with the officials at his Crane Place, South Ruimveldt residence.
“They kept insisting that it was Fineman and his gang that killed the men, but I am not a little boy. They are supposed to be professional and should not make their rank and file get out of hand,” he said.
Further the man said if it were that the men were killed by mistake, the Joint Services should come out and say so. He insisted that the joint services were well aware of where his camp was and noted that he had been told that only days before, his son had assisted the lawmen in cleaning meat which they shared.
Arokium recounted that the young men in particular, who worked with him were youths who he had taken under his wing and given a job, adding that it was extremely saddening the way they were killed. “Those 
boys were not supposed to be killed like that I took them into my hands, give them work and they were learning the job beautifully and they were never lazy, they did their work well,” he recounted.
Asked whether he had heard any word on whether the remains would be flown to the city and handed over to relatives, Arokium said he was not aware of when this would happen since he has not been notified by anyone.
“They haven’t told me anything and the people’s families are calling me and I don’t know what to tell them because I myself ain’t hearing nothing,” he said.
It is believed that the miners were killed sometime between Sunday June 15 and Tuesday June 17.
Government Pathologist, Nehaul Singh who had viewed the bodies is yet to make any pronouncement as to how long the men might have been dead.
The PRESIDENT is abroad.
The “investigators” can only rely on the word of the Joint Services and Police Force when they gave evidence.
I would be suspicious of SHELLS being left by the Joint Services IF they tried a “cover-up” as they know about ballistics tests from other crime scenes.
With the FIRE, the evidence that the bullets came from those shells on the ground would be destroyed as the markings on the bullets were destroyed by the fire.
How ballistics works?
There are 2 major ways to do this. When a bullet leaves a gun it is normally scraped by the barrel of the gun leaving more or less unique marks on the bullet. If you stumble upon several crime scenes and happen to recover “bullets” or fragments of “bullets” you can then match them up and conclude “yes” they were fired from the same gun.
If you don’t have the actually “bullets” then you must rely on the shells. Which are less conclusive because the striations or marks on the shell are not necessarily specific to that particular gun. From what I’ve been reading they didn’t say if they recovered “actual bullet” all I’m seeing here is talk “shells” In fact, most cases I read, all they talk about is shells (or casings)
I hope these people know what they’re doing, for everyone’s sake.
In today’s article; the police stated that they’re looking or after another group; could it be theirs et al? The owner stated that he had a discussion with two ministers recently who from all account, actually force him to believe that Fineman group did the killing. My question is why they went to that extent?
I believe there is another group or more out there, be it service personal or others who carried out this act. If it was robbery, why beat the men with a hammer? This sounds like torture to me, to extract some sort of information before killing the men; some very good comments were made on this blog that need to be looked into.
The joint services must look at the whole picture when conducting their investigations. A point to note; service personnel always have extra ammo on their position, which isn’t recorded for; the possibility also excess, 7.62X39 ammo could come through the border — south, east or northwest — undocumented and sell on the black market to the various splinter groups running around in the country to protect their interest. Therefore, this is a real mess all due to Fear, Hate, greed, lust etc.
Just a question to ponder on, could the two bodies at Goat Farm carry or flown 90 miles away from the camp site? My reason is both incident appears to occur between June 15 and 18th. Just thinking.
Hotep
Then this would mean that Mr. Arokium and his men were harbouring criminals at their place of work. I know you are just thinking but be careful, this is not a good time to make Mr. Arokium into a bandit. Some already try to make him into a lair. I just watching ya back rasta.
The entire story is “unofficial”.
If SN had waited on the ‘official version’ let me assure you we would not have all the facts. SN is a creditable news source and if they say they spoke to someone who is in the know and provided this information, I am inclined to believe them. The fact that they broke this story makes it immpossible for the officials to come out and lie unless they are willing to challenege that they know to be the truth.
I want to thank everyone who sent their condolences to the family of the Arokium’s. I happen to be Dax’s eldest sister, and niece of Cedric Arokium. Never would I have expected to see my family become popular under this kind of circumstance. We’re all in this fight togher, because it could have happened to any one of us and our families. Guyana has gone to the dogs… thanks again for your emotional support. My dad (Leonard) I cannot begin to imagine what he is going through, and the burden he has to carry for the rest of his life. Dax was his favorite son. who knows Dax, will tell you all about him, one of the better people on this earth…
Absolutely, Dax was one of the good guys..funny, down to earth, smart.
Condolences to you and your family.
are you his friend or sister? either way my condolences
maryjane
on June 25th, 2008 2:27 pm Yet , another sign of an irresponsible police force and Joint services. Everyday is some form of killing, rape, torture and yet not a crime is being solved. Now, my dear friend Dax is dead. I hope this is not another unsloved crime.
I am beginning to think that the govt needs int’l help with solving these crimes.come ppl come on u guys need to do better.
My heart goes out to you and your family, Please stay strong.
AN OVERSEAS EXPERT IS WHAT IS NEEDED on forensic is needed.
To: Mackydog:
GOD IS GREAT ALL THE TIME: THEY DO HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH MORAL JUDGMENT.
Mackydog, I read your response this morning in the Archives.
However, I must tell you I do not agree with most of your assumptions but I do believe what you said about the “Constant aerial surveillance.”
Do you remember the allegation about the Joint Services torturing I think two or three people on the linden highway sometime this year, burning the victims’ bodies and faces? Does this sound familiar to you, I guess so Mackydog.
I like reasoning with you Mackydog you’re a smart man.
Now that we know what the ballistics test shows, and “Other senior sources within Guyana Police and Defence Forces have also declined to comment publicly on the results of the ballistics analysis, although they acknowledged being aware of the findings.”
In addition, Stabroek news reporter went on to state as follows:
“Ballistics tests on the spent shells found at the scene of the slaughter of eight miners at the Lindo Creek camp show no link between weapons used by gunmen connected to the Rondell Rawlins gang, well-placed sources in the police forensic unit have disclosed.”
Dredge owner Leonard Arokium, a land surveyor by profession “Repeated earlier claims that the killings could not have been the work of the gang that the security forces are pursuing.” Using a topographical map of the area to support his claims that the gunmen were moving away from the camp and not moving forward the camp which would’ve bring them into confrontation with the security forces. No gunmen wants opposition like that trust me, so they would not risk that type on confrontation with security forces, which would out number them both with weapons and men.
owenon123,
Thanks for the post. I was hoping you read my response to you last night as you requested. It’s ok that you don’t totally agree with me, none of us knows the truth, we’re all suggesting and venting our opinions and beliefs.
I don’t remember the incident you mentioned of the three people in Linden who were burnt by the joint forces. Sorry.
As for the ballistics test, the report is that the bullets were not from Fineman’s guns, but remember, bullets may not have been fired into the miners’ bodies when the miners were being tortured since there is no evidence that the men died from gunshot wounds only by being sledged hammered in the head and by chainsaw (as per the bodies being found burnt to ashes). Maybe the people who raised the alarm to Mr. Arokium that the camp was wiped out had access to the miners’ camp after the massacre (since I believe that Fineman and the miners had a relationship and the 2 callers knew of the relationship) one or both of the callers (or an accomplice to the callers) planted the spent shells in the camp (or gave the shells to Fineman to plant, how did the callers know of the massacre?) Remember, this is the jungle, the army trains everywhere in the jungle and the soldiers do not necessarily collect shells whenever they’re used so finding some is pretty easy, one does not have to possess a gun to have spent shells in one’s immediate surroundings in the jungle. Remember also, when soldiers are training and is carrying out an exercise, whatever kit is lost during that exercise is lost, the soldiers never returns to the field to find back their kit, and sometimes loaded magazines, mess pans, bayonets, etc. fall out of pockets and are lost.
The joint forces will obviously know of the results of the tests…they did the tests, but I don’t think the Joint services will immediately divulge that info. because it is better to have more facts before revealing such information. They’re doing the correct thing.
For your last paragraph owenon123, I believe that Fineman’ s gang never crossed the Berbice River as Mr Arokium suggested, Fineman could have been hiding out in the tree tops while everyone else passed below instead of crossing the B’ce River and then double backing.
What you think now owenon123? Read my post for today, let me know.
owenon123, I forgot to thank you for the compliment, the respect is mutual, RBAY.
This is the continuation of my view Mackydog:
My question is who the mystery gang of these vicious gunmen is and what their motive was. We now know that no evidence leads to ‘fineman’ and his crew, so who is it. Who is the closest contact in the area to the camp? I am still asking the question why the security forces did not see any signs of a blazing fire in the jungle. Do they go out in the day in search of ‘fineman’ and his crew?
Is this all what guyana has become. When I first came tot eh Middle East I used to hang a large flag of Guyana in my living room and tell my friends and neighbors good things of Guyana. Now I am too ashame to say that I am a Guyanese.
Clifton”Berry” wong was my uncle. He was a good man a hard working father,and a selfless man. I can remember my uncle very well from my vactions I spent in Berbice as a child, I can remember his wedding day I can remember him promising to bring a Kumudi for me from out of the bush, I can remember the numerous stoories he told me of the bush.
Ishmael I was too small to remember Mr. Arokium but my older cousins remembered him.
I would wish people be more careful in their comments and only make realistic ones.
I’m praying for you Uncle Berry may the murders recieve a similar and even worst punishment in the deepest part of hell.
I’m praying for my Aunt Sharmin” Collete” Wong my cousins, Alicia , Amanda, Shaneeza, Lydia and Kem.
My sympaties to you too. I am lil curious, but what you want with a “kamudi” when there are all those other nicer pets, like saki-winky monkey or a colourful macaw that might even talk to you? Have faith my dear, the murderers will be caught and will definitely end up in the pits of hell.
Guys, blaka have a valid point. It is sad how investegtions are carried out in Guyana. But I would like to think the possibilities f greed stepped in and the brazilians could have possible carried this attack out.
This is some hitchcock stuff right there. I hope this does not go down like how th minister case went down, and the folks at the news paper.
Just find someone one slap them with the murders…And for correction.Stabroeknews. Omali Rogers is not red skin, he is Dark skin. The name next to the images are miss leading.
fire pon stabroek news…
I believe that because of the extremity of this crime it can only be done in this manner by a very deranged and pissed off criminal. It is Fineman Rawlins and his gang.
This is my theory, I believe that Fineman Rawlins and his gang had a business/friend connection to the miners. Sometime ago between them, Fineman left his loot, arms and ammo (and maybe other serious valuables to Fineman and his gang) for safe keeping with the miners or to be handed over by the miners to persons of Fineman’s interest since Fineman cannot get access to his people in the public (the woman who called Arokium and the man also who called Arokium after, just to name a few). So happen that the miners got greedy, called the police and informed them that Fineman was in the area with the hope that the police would wipe out Fineman’s gang so the miners would not have to hand over nothing to Fineman’s people as was arranged and the miners can keep it all for themselves, after all Fineman is now expected to be dead so no one has anything to get.
It just so happens that the police arrived at the Fineman camp, but instead of the police succeeding in wiping out Fineman and his gang, Fineman escaped and was alive. Now Fineman decided (most naturally) to go to the miners camp (only 10 miles away) where he might have stashed some firepower and with the suspicion that the ONLY people who knew positively that Fineman was around was the miners whom he trusted actually sold him out (for the stash, etc). So now, Fineman and his gang stealthily ambushed the miners (who by now was thinking Fineman is no more), tortured and bludgeoned them to death after he found out that the miners DID cochore on Fineman and nearly caused his death, and worst yet, Fineman (after torturing the miners) realising the miners disbursed Fineman’s stash amoung themselves (remember the miners’ family said that the miners kept going into the bush and coming out back frequently recently, that’s when the miners were probably moving Fineman’s loot for themselves) and could not account to Fineman where his stuff was and where his guns were so Fineman got more pissed cause he now realised he was ripped off and double-crossed at the same time so he slaughtered the miners in the manner they were killed…chainsawed and sledge hammered.
Any better explanation anyone….?
your theory is good, but in my view this crime was greed, the owner said that they wash on the 14th., the woman and the man who informed the owner may have involved in the slaughter and see an opportunity to blame the S.F. for their crimes because they were operating in that area.
2… the brazilians who may know that they wash and decided to rob them, they put up a struggle and so they were eliminated.
Mackydog
You are killing me with your nonsense..ONCE AGAIN MACKYDOG, IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE FINEMAN AND HIS GANG WERE EVER PRESENT IN THE AREA? YOU LIKE TO PLAY DETECTIVE, BUT YOUR ARE A DETECTIVE WITH LIMTED THINKING..MACKYDOG, DO ME A FAVOR AND TRY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX .. LIKE A GOOD DETECTIVE..
Macky you really got an active mind. even when the evidence show the other way around, god will have to come down and tell you otherwise.
simple …….. nonsense
Wasn’t there a reward for Fineman? Would that have played a role in the killings
kmatt, amen-ra and badlall, my theories are too deep for your comprehension. My advice to you guys is that you pay careful attention to my teachings you’ll learn a thing or two from me.
INXS, yes there was a reward out for Fineman, but even if that played a role in the killing, who will collect it now, and besides the reward is for his arrest and/or capture.
kmatt, the evidence that Fineman is/was in the area came from what the miners told the security forces, what Otis “Bun up” told the security forces before he died, and now a massacre in retaliation to Fineman nearly being caught and killed. What other evidence do you need, I guess when the joint services drag his fine dead body out of the jungle then we would have (not just evidence) conclusive evidence.
Macky ya badddddddddddddddd fuh days and i bet you’ll have followers with this line. However the first time that the chainsaw was used in a crime between 2002 – today was in the house in George street where there were cutting people up before dumping them at de back of the gardens. Check ya archives because i know you can’t remember. Do you know today all those people are now free with the exception of the one that was poison in the hospital.
Dem boyz seh, Talk half and left half
Macky bai meh now read dem response to your “story line” and bai meh tel yah this ah de best laff meh had in nah wan long time. Ya really no how fi spice de thing up. dem bin nah too tense.
How the hell would anyone know which & how many weapons Fineman has,Do the have a shopping list to prove,How ironic is it these 8 guys murdered at approx the same time Fineman & gang said to be in area.OH!!!!Maybe it is the JS robbed these guys & tried to cover up the crime.How rediculous!!!!!.Reading this blog u can see there is abudant negativitity & mistrust .I really dont see this getting any better