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.
