One of the persons held in connection with the recent arms find in Lethem is expected to make a court appearance today even as the police continue to look for the main suspect.
Attorney at law Glen Hanoman, who is representing Benedict Thomas, told Stabroek News last evening that the police informed him earlier in the day that his client would be placed before the court this morning. He said that he did not get the opportunity to visit Thomas but was almost certain that he was not taken to see the doctor for the wounds he allegedly sustained at the hands of the police.
Hanoman had made a request after he saw Thomas with visible marks of violence to his face including a swollen right eye.
Stabroek News was unable to ascertain whether the other detainee, a woman identified as “Aumolie,” would also be making a court appearance. Their 72 hours in police custody ends this afternoon.
Meanwhile, a police source said that investigators are still looking for the main suspect who is known by the call name “Bora” and who is the employer and husband respectively of the duo in custody.
This newspaper was told that it is suspected that the man who is said to be a contractor is hiding out in neighbouring Brazil.
Though police officials have identified him as the main suspect no wanted bulletin has been issued for him as has been the case in many high profile police investigations.
Around 3 pm on Monday, police raided the house at Tabatinga, Lethem and found four automatic rifles along with four magazines and 389 rounds of 7.62×39 calibre ammunition; six M-16 rifles along with two magazines and 74 matching rounds; two shrapnel hand grenades; one Icon VHF radio set; one Icon hand-held radio set; and one roll of camouflage material.
A resident said yesterday that based on reports it was Thomas who led police to the items and he has told investigators that they belonged to the contractor.
A senior police official had said that the contractor being sought is a close relative of an ex-policeman, who was once a close associate of convicted drug kingpin Roger Khan.
Stabroek News has been informed that the two are cousins. The contractor, this newspaper was also told, had several run-ins with police, including for weapon-related matters and using threatening behaviour.
Asked if the weapons came from neighbouring Brazil, the official stated that it was too early to state and investigators are looking to do an e-trace on the items. An e-trace is an internet-based system which allows law enforcement agencies to submit requests for firearm traces.
Investigators will also be seeking other forms of assistance in recognizing and tracing the weapons as ranks are in possession of some of the serial numbers that are printed on them, the official added.
The suspects along with the cache of arms arrived at the Ogle Airport around midday on Tuesday under heavy security escort.
