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Mining association official says illegal interior shops fuelling crime

Jul 10, 2013 News

– ammo, ganja found after raid

Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Vice President Charles Da Silva believes most violent crime in the interior is linked to the presence of illegal liquor shops, particularly those that are close to mining camps.
“The biggest hazard in the interior is not from mercury or accidents occurring under normal circumstances. The biggest hazard is when workers go to the shops, drink, and tempers are raised and fights break out.
Eighty percent of murders and violent situations that happen in the interior are coming from illegal shops, or shops in general, operating in the interior. “
Da Silva made this remark three days after assisting police and a mining officer to unearth ammunition and a quantity of marijuana at an unlicenced shop at Mowasi Backdam, Potaro District. He said that the raid was conducted Saturday and that one man was detained and is likely to be charged.
“We found  9mm rounds in a magazine, as well as some extra rounds. We also found about two pounds of marijuana and about 12 small packets (of marijuana) ready to be sold.”
Da Silva told Kaieteur News that the shop was located on a mining claim on which the owner of the concession had permitted four illegal dredges to operate. He also alleged that instead of prospecting, individuals on the claim were running the illegal shop.
The GGDMA official explained that the shop was located some 100 yards from his mining concession and its presence had adversely affected his business.
This happened when some of his workers became intoxicated after consuming alcohol at the shop. He was forced to shut down his dredging operation for three days.
“I have been in the area for about six years and never had that problem until the illegal shop came to the area,” Da Silva said.
“When illegal shops operate directly in the area where dredges operate and are selling drugs and alcohol, the workers who work in the pit are tempted to buy, and when this is done, the (mining) operation has to cease, because no conscientious dredge owner would have people consuming alcohol and dope.
When they consume the liquor, the dredges have to stop, because it’s very dangerous to have people working under the influence of alcohol because of the danger of somebody getting hurt.”
Da Silva explained that interior shop operators must have a licence from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). This permits them to operate in an area designated by the GGMC. Statistics released this week by the Guyana Police Force showed that the interior district has recorded 21 murders for the year; the highest for any division.

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