A Berbice policeman is under investigation after he was accused of stowing ganja on the premises of a Superbet shop located in Reliance Village, East Canje Berbice in an extortion bid.
The force’s Public Relations Officer, Jairam Ramlakhan, confirmed today that an investigation was done and that advice would be sought “soonest”.
It is the latest accusation of corruption to ensnare Berbice policing and comes in the aftermath of whistleblowers in the division causing the suspension of the crime chief in Georgetown to enable investigations.
Stabroek News was told that the constable attached to the CID Department, Reliance Police Station, was reportedly caught on CCTV placing the illegal item suspected to be cannabis during a search on the premises conducted by him and another rank.
He then allegedly pretended to find the item and accused the owners of being in possession of it. He then urged the owners to either pay him and have the matter disappear or be arrested for possession of narcotics.
The owners of the Superbet shop, an overseas-based couple, then contacted a senior police officer and filed a complaint which led to an investigation. Yesterday, several other persons came forward accusing the rank of placing cannabis on their premises as well.
The constable was transferred from the Number 51 Police Station recently, sources say.
