Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
‘B’ Division gets fully-loaded armoured vehicle
NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – Division ‘B’ of the Guyana Police Force now has a Rakshak fully-loaded bulletproof vehicle (PLL 8357) added to its fleet. On Monday, Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, gave the vehicle to Berbice to be used as required.
The vehicle was displayed to the media at a briefing held at the Central Police Station yesterday.
Commander of Division ‘B’, Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai explained that this move came in the wake of the recent cache of weapons found in Berbice. Merai noted that this vehicle would boost not only the operational capability but the tactical skills as well.
This type of vehicle is nothing new to Guyana and had been used mainly by ranks during operations in Buxton and Agricola. It is not the everyday type of vehicle used for patrols.
Commander Merai (second from left) and his team inspect the Rakshak armoured vehicle
Third-In-Charge of Division ‘B’ Superintendent Lyndon Alves, who is said to have a wealth of knowledge on such vehicles explained that it is manufactured by the Mahindra Company in India. It can withstand the 5.56mm ammunition used in the M15 and M16 assault rifles, 7.62 by 39mm used in AK47 and M70 assault rifles, 7.62 by 51mm bullets used in self-loading rifles and the Fabric National (FN) a Belgium made self-loading rifle among others.
The Rakshak can accommodate seven, including the driver.
Also at the press briefing were second in command of the ‘B’ division Senior Superintendent Griffith, Assistant Superintendent in charge of operations Leroy Albert and station sergeant Roberto Figueira.
Last month, a patrol operating in the Adelphi area had responded to a report of assault and was returning to their normal routine about 22:20 hours when they observed two known law-breakers walking along the roadway in a suspicious manner. The team attempted to question them and they fled. The patrol gave pursuit and captured one of them – 25-year-old Timothy Sampson of Adelphi New Scheme.
During the process a struggle ensued and one of the ranks was said to be bitten by the man. Moments later the black duffel bag he was carrying was searched and two AK-47 assault rifles, an UZI semi-automatic submachine gun and a 12-gauge pump action shotgun with three matching rounds of ammunition were found.
Timothy Sampson was placed before Magistrate Adele Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The matter will be heard again on November 22. His accomplice is still at large.
Officials of the Guyana Defence Force identified the two AK-47 rifles as stolen from their weaponry a few years ago.
The same night about 22:30 hours, another patrol at Number 58 Village observed 26-year-old Inshan Das called Ravi, a farmer, acting in a suspicious manner. He too ran as police ranks tried to question him. The patrol gave chase, which ended in his home at Lot 73 Number 58 Village. The dwelling place was searched, and in a room they unearthed a Mossberg 12-gauge pump action shotgun with three matching rounds. Das was placed before Magistrate Krishendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court and is now a guest of the state for the next two years.
Commander Merai attributed the bust to a change put in place after revisiting old strategies. Based on many reports of ‘small robberies’ it was decided that patrols would now stop, search and detain shady characters.
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