As the probe continues into an attempt to smuggle an AK-47 rifle out of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Compound, Eve Leary, three of the five ranks implicated in the plot have been placed under open arrest.
This was confirmed by a reliable police source, who told Stabroek News that while the three ranks were allowed to go about their daily lives under open arrest, two others, including a Corporal, remain under close arrest with police supervision.
It is unclear if an implicated Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) is the other rank under close arrest.
On Tuesday morning, several members of the Guyana Police Force were place under close arrest after they allegedly smuggled the high-powered rifle out of the TSU compound.
This newspaper was reliably informed that acting on information received, the police on Tuesday morning conducted an operation, during which they followed a car that had just left the TSU compound. The car was intercepted at Carmichael Street and during a search, the high-powered rifle was discovered.
The driver was promptly searched and taken into custody. During questioning, he reportedly implicated the Corporal and the ASP. Records on the driver’s phone revealed that during the time the car entered and left the TSU compound, several calls were made to the Corporal. It is alleged that the ASP colluded with the Corporal to sell the weapon.
Checks are still being made to determine if the AK-47 was a service weapon.
Back in 2009, the ASP was among three policemen who were charged with stealing millions of dollars they had retrieved from the suspects held for a robbery/murder.
While a Cadet Officer, the ASP was among the policemen who held a roadblock at Schoonord, and took a black bag containing $5.8 million from Shawn Ageda. However, when the money was later lodged at the police station, it only amounted to $1.5 million. Following this incident, the now ASP was interdicted from the force but was later reinstated after no evidence was given against him and his accomplices during the trial.
Meanwhile, according to information received by Stabroek News, shortly after the 2009 incident, an individual who was arrested with an illegal firearm had told the police that it was given to him by the ASP. The officer was questioned and placed under close arrest but was allowed to return to duty owing to insufficient evidence against him.
