Region One villagers report sightings of Venezuelan gang members

Residents of Whitewater Village and Ganja Landing in the Mabaruma Sub-District, of Region One, have reported the sighting of alleged members of the Venezuelan Sindicato gang in their villages over the weekend.

Dios Domingo, a resident of Whitewater Village, took to Facebook yesterday morning to report that the residents were unable to sleep after an alleged visit by the gang over the weekend.

“Hi my fellow Guyanese, Christians I’m begging you to please remember my village, Whitewater in prayer. It’s being threatened by the dreadful Cindacato (sic) gang. 2 days ago they enter and went back… Almost all the residents didn’t sleep all night,” Domingo wrote.

Meanwhile, when contacted last evening, Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley explained that he has received reports from persons who have businesses in the border communities, who claimed to have seen members of the gang in Ganja Landing.

After the reports were received, the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force ranks were informed and a team was sent to the area but found nothing.

Additionally, Ashley said unofficial reports have also been received of members of the gang entering another village close to Whitewater, where they allegedly harassed several residents.

Ashley explained that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in response to the reports is currently preparing letters to send to the Ministry of the Presidency and the Ministry of Public Security to inform them of the reports and to request additional security for the border.