Cops who occupied Berbice River house still to report to superiors

Ranks who unlawfully occupied the home of a Berbice River resident are yet to report to their superiors, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

In an invited comment yesterday, Blanhum explained that he had not had the opportunity to speak to the ranks that were sent on the raids and as a result he could not comment further.

Wayne Halley, 34, a cash crop farmer of Taurnama Creek, on the right bank of the Berbice River, said two Fridays ago four boatloads of policemen entered the area and the lawmen unlawfully occupied his house without his knowledge and consent.

As a result, he has been seeking answers from the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Public Security.

According to Halley, on December 5, he returned home from the city, after being informed by the caretaker that police had moved into the house. When he arrived, he found the men in his home and asked them who had given them permission to be there, but got no answers.

When he arrived home, he explained, four boats belonging to the police were docked at his waterfront and his entire yard was filled with ranks. He said he continuously asked the officers why they did not stop at a public property but got no answers.

Halley went on to explain that he and two others were interrogated by the police and questioned on the location of marijuana fields on the bank of the river. He said after they informed the police they did not have any knowledge of the fields, they were allowed to go.

However, he said that the two men who had accompanied him to the house were beaten by the police during the interrogation.

After the interrogation, the Berbice farmer said, the police told him they needed to stay at his house for another six days. However, he said he told the officers that they should go and stay at the school that was not too far away but they refused.

Halley said he is seeking compensation for the mattresses that were used by the policemen and for damage done to his farm. He stated that on the 46 acres of land he had approximately 2,000 pepper plants and the majority died since his caretaker was not present at the home as a result of the intrusion by the police.

When contacted yesterday, he told Stabroek News that he is still waiting for answers and was not contacted by  either the police or the office of the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan.