Mother of 7 busted at the Cheddie Jagan International Airport with drugs in books, deodorant, and makeup products

A mother of seven is in custody following the discovery of just over four pounds of cocaine that was concealed in stationary and makeup products in her bag at the Cheddie Jagan International Airport, yesterday, Monday.

 

The Custom’s Anti-Narcotics Unit in a press statement said the woman who has been identified as Tommy Ann Bunbury of Paramaribo, Suriname and Victoria Road, Plaisance was an outgoing passenger on a flight to New York via Eastern Airlines.

According to the local drug enforcement unit, a search was conducted on the checked luggage, carry-on suitcase, and handbag belonging to Bunbury. A number of objects among them a hardcover book, handbag, make-up kits, deodorants, nail polish covers, mascara, and permanent markers all had a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine.

Bunbury was living in Suriname for the last six years but occasionally returned to Guyana for immigration purposes. Bunbury was arrested and remains in custody.

President Ali and high level delegation touch down in  Suriname for 3 day state visit

President Ali, First Lady and team arrived in neighbouring Suriname last night to a red carpet welcome.

According to a release from the office of the President, the Head of State will engage in discussions with His Excellency President Chandrikapersad Santokhi to build on the issues advanced during  President Santokhi’s visit to Guyana last August.

The two Leaders are expected to finalise agreements to advance the proposal for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge and establish a new mechanism for enhanced dialogue and cooperation.

Suriname celebrates their 45th Anniversary  Independence on November 25 and an extraordinary session of the National Assembly will be convened at which time President Ali will deliver a congratulatory message.

PSC and the NATIONAL COVID-19 Task Force clash over a letter warning Palm Court about breaching the COVID-19 guidelines

The Private Sector Commission and the National COVID-19 Task Force are at odds and it has to do with a warning that was issued to the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar.

The Main street bar has been accused of breaching the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Task Force, now this comes even as the COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise. In a release to the media, the PSC threatened to withdraw from the National Task Force and said their action leaves much to be desired.

The PSC said the Task Force must be aware, as it is public knowledge, “that hundreds of businesses operate in a similar manner to that of Palm Court.

Hence, this action would appear to be biased and discriminatory, the PSC’s letter noted. There is a 10:30 pm to 4:00 am Curfew in place, but bars are restricted from being opened.

The National COVID-19 Task Force has said that this is the final warning to the Restaurant and Bar.

Meanwhile, the National Task Force Secretariat has responded to the PSC and stated that thus far, first letters of warning have been sent to a total of 42 businesses regarding breaches of COVID-19 Guidelines. Among those 42, a total of 20 of them have been issued with final warning letters for continued breaches.

The task force noted that the PSC plays a vital role as part of the Task Force and the Ministry believes that the matter concerning the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar could be resolved mutually and collaboratively as done by other businesses that were written to.

The Ministry and the NCTFS kindly encourage the PSC against taking any decision to withdraw from the Task Force, as the Government of Guyana has purposely chosen an inclusive approach, not only to the composition of the NCTFS but also to the ongoing national COVID-19 response.

The release noted that as the PSC correctly pointed out, the mandate of the National Covid-19 Task Force was given by none other than the President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and both the Task Force Chairman, Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (rtd.) Mark Phillips, and Co-Chairman, Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, believe that every citizen and every sector, including the PSC Chairman and the entire Commission, must play their part to ensure this mandate is achieved.

Two murder accused among three to escape Lusignan Prison

The Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service have launched a search for three prisoners who escaped the Holding Bay at the Lusignan Prisons.

The three have been identified as 48-year-old Phillip Jhogroo, murder accused, his last known address is Lot B3 Goed Intent Leguan; 18-year-old Mark Emmanuel, robbery accused of Grove Sea Dam, squatting area and 40-year-old Donald Baird, murder accused, his last known address was given as 22 Hardina Street, Worthmanville. Emmanuel remained in lockups because he was unable to a $50,000 bail.

Below is a full statement issued by the Guyana Prison Service on the escape of the three men.

The Officer in Charge of the Lusignan Prison (Holding Bay), Superintendent, Alstan Scott reported, that at about 05:20 hours, during a routine check, an improvised rope made of bed sheet was seen hanging from the South Western corner of the prison fence. This then prompted a physical muster and it was discovered that three (3) prisoners were unaccounted for. Further investigations confirmed that they escaped from that prison location by scaling the said South Western fence where the improvised rope was found.

According to investigations thus far, the escape took place between 01:28 and 01:48 hrs. The Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service are conducting further investigations surrounding the escape. Every effort is being made to recapture the three (03) escapees.

Family members and members of the public are advised not to offer any support to the escapees. Should you see them or have any information on their whereabouts, please contact the nearest Police Station.

President Ali meets visiting UAE delegation

Press statement from office of the president 

His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali Thursday afternoon met with his Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and an eight-member delegation who arrived today in Guyana on a three-day official state visit.

Over the next few days, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum, who is a member of the ruling family in the UAE, and members of his team will meet with several Government officials from various ministries.

In the initial meeting with President Ali, the UAE team also met with members of the cabinet including: Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Hon Hugh Todd, Minister of Natural Resources, the Hon Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Housing and Water and Minister within the ministry, the Hon Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Public Works, the Hon Juan Edghill and other government officials.

The UAE is one of the top oil producing countries globally and is expected to lend assistance to Guyana in oil and gas, among other areas.

The visiting delegation was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon Hugh Todd; Minister of Tourism, Hon Oneidge Walrond and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon Deodat Indar and other officials upon their arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Guyana’s COVID-19 related death now 143, with death of 66 year old woman

A sixty year old woman from the Demerara-Mahaica Region is the country’s latest COIVD-19 related death. The Health Ministry in a press statement said the woman died yesterday at one of its medical facility where she was being treated. The woman according to the Ministry died yesterday after testing positive for the respiratory infection. The woman’s death takes the country’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 143.

Miner charged with the murder of 16-year-old North West District, girl

The suspect, Wickroy Mitchell aka Shatta, age 38 years, a Miner of Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce today where the indictable charge of murder was read to him.

The man was charged with the murder of a 16-year-old female from Coanna Backdam Five Star, North West District which occurred between the 14th and 15th November 2020.

Mitchell appeared via Zoom from the Port Kaituma Police Station.

The teenager’s motionless body was found on 15th November 2020 behind their dwelling quarters. The police investigations revealed that the deceased and her mother went to a shop, purchased alcohol, and started to consume in the company of the suspects and others.

The police said both the mother and daughter were intoxicated when they left in the company of the suspect for home. Her mother later returned to the shop alone.

It was not until the next day that the deceased was found lying motionless behind their dwelling quarters.

When the matter was called today, Mitchell was not required to plea to the charge and was remanded to prison until the 2nd of February, 2021 for the Preliminary Inquiry to commence.