COVID-19 deaths now at 133. Two more deaths recorded on Thursday

A 74-year-old woman from Region 10 and a 56-year-old man from Region 1 are the two latest COVID-19 fatalities.
The Ministry of Health made the disclosure today during a release to the media. The two deaths now bring the total to 133 persons to have succumbed to the deadly virus.
The two deaths according to the Ministry were recorded on November 5th, 2020.
The MOH expresses sincerest condolences to the families of the two deceased and will make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to render any assistance needed.
The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the two deceased and their families and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is reminding Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEASURES (NO.11), which are in effect until November 30, 2020.

11.2 tons of cocaine busted in Belgium, equivalent to 222.3 billion GYD

 

The drug bust was described by officials in Belgium as the largest overseas drug bust ever. Federal prosecutors told Belgian media, they estimated the street value of the drug load at €900 million. In Guyana’s currency that would be $222.3 billion.

 

Counter narcotics prosecutors said they had tracked the transatlantic journey of the 11.2-tons of cocaine from Guyana, on the northeastern coast of South America, and seized it, upon its arrival at the Port of Antwerp.

 

The cocaine was stitched between scrap metal and placed inside a steel container which was in turn packed into a sea container and loaded into a transatlantic vessel.

 

According to the Brussels Times, the massive load of cocaine left a port in Guyana in late October and prosecutors were able to track it, following the dismantlement of a drug trafficking gang led by a former Belgian counter narcotics chief which revealed the existence between criminal gangs and counter narcotics and law enforcement officials.

 

Three police officers, a port manager, and a lawyer were among 20 other criminals arrested as part of the operation targeting the “well-structured” criminal organisation, suspected of orchestrating large and “regular” drug shipments from South America to Belgium.

 

The record-breaking shipment was expected by law enforcement officials as it is suspected to have left the port of Guyana after the drug gang’s arrest in Belgium, with drug gangs unable to intercept it once at sea, De Standaard reports.

 

The Times report said the dismantlement of the drug gang in late September led to the arrest and indictment of 22 people, with three people still in the Netherlands awaiting extradition.

 

Following the record-breaking drug bust on Wednesday, three others were arrested, including one person who is facing extradition to Belgium from the Netherlands.

 

Nigel Hughes Responds To Police Force

The following is my response to a Press Release issued this afternoon by the Guyana Police Force on the Press Conference held by the Henry family yesterday,

 

“I am impressed with the alacrity with which the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has found it possible to respond to statements made during the press conference held by the Henry family yesterday.

 

Perhaps if the same diligence, commitment and speed had been applied to the investigation of the murders of the young Henry boys we might all have been in a different place today.

 

I have no doubt that the GPF noted the presence of the immediate relatives of Joel and Isaiah Henry at the press conference and it was with their full prior informed consent and on their behalf that all statements were made at the Press conference.

 

My personal hope is that the necessity for press conferences and press releases can be obviated by a successful conclusion of the investigation leading to the prosecution and conviction of those responsible.

 

I believe that the Henrys have suffered enough than to now have to be burdened with lectures from law enforcement agencies who are unable to solve a rural crime.”