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Venezuelan vehicles seized in Lethem
‘I am entitled to duty free concession – Regional Chairman
By Brian Sam & Rustom Seegopaul
Customs officials seized three Venezuelan vehicles on Saturday, from prominent Lethem persons. These vehicles had been imported through neighbouring Brazil without the knowledge of the relevant authorities.
One of the vehicles was hidden in the proximity of a ranch owned by the Chairman of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce, John Macedo. According to reports, one of the Guyana Defence Force helicopters was flying over the area and the occupants of the aircraft noticed the vehicle.
The Venezuelan registered Toyota Land Cruiser
Subsequently, reports were made to the relevant authorities, who conducted their investigations on the ground and uncovered the hidden vehicle. When Customs officials came across the silver/grey, double cab Toyota Hilux, it did not have any license plates on it.
When Macedo was confronted by officials on his way back to his home from the ranch, he produced the licence plates (02Y FBX) for the vehicle, which he apparently had at his home in Central Lethem, some distance from the ranch.
Reports have said that Macedo was very displeased by the discovery of the vehicle and the police were summoned. The vehicle has since been impounded.
Additional reports have said that Macedo was arrested in Georgetown, on January 17, for another vehicle which had entered Guyana illegally. He was, along with the vehicle, escorted by Customs officials back to the border crossing in Lethem.
The vehicle was then taken back over to Brazil.
The Venezuelan registered Toyota Hilux
Another vehicle, a white Toyota Land Cruiser (GCP 83F) was discovered in the yard of the Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Clarindo Lucas. When questioned about the vehicle, Lucas reportedly said that given his position in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), he is entitled to a duty free vehicle.
Nonetheless, Lucas maintained that an individual identified as V. Dalip, also known as ‘Bogy,’ brought the vehicle to him, without documents, and left it there. While it is unclear whether or not Dalip has been questioned by Customs officials, the vehicle was impounded.
A third vehicle, a Toyota Prado (RAL 64W), was discovered on the premises of a well-known Lethem businesswoman, Bibi Samaroo, also called ‘Zoe’. The discovery was made by Customs officials, who were driving around Lethem and noticed the vehicle on Samaroo’s property.
When questioned, Samaroo said that the vehicle did not belong to her, and that someone had left it with her. Despite her claims, residents of Lethem have said that they have seen her, on more than one occasion, driving the vehicle around Lethem.
Additionally, sources have said that the vehicle has been in Samaroo’s possession since the beginning of this year.
The Venezuelan registered Toyota Prado
Customs officials have asserted that they have no record of these vehicles crossing, either by pontoon or by the newly constructed Takatu Bridge, which has not been formally opened yet.
There are always Customs personnel stationed at the border crossing points between Guyana and Brazil, and these personnel document the license plate numbers of vehicles which make the crossing.
A record of the persons, who cross in the vehicles, is also made.
To bring a foreign registered vehicle into Guyana, the relevant documentation must be presented before it is allowed to enter the country.
At present no one has been charged for the discovery of these vehicles.
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