Roving gang terrorises Corentyne cattle, rice farmers

Sep 14, 2014 News

Horses shot dead, poisoned, cattle stolen and killed

The police on the Upper Corentyne are being kept busy as they move to curb the actions of cattle rustlers, bandits and thieves who are on a rampage in the area.

Distraught owner of Stormy Flame, Vishal Koorchand points to his race horse which was poisoned by rustlers last week.

While a number of them have been arrested and some animals recovered, cattle and rice farmers on the Upper Corentyne are at their wits end as they move to counter the activities of the rogue elements in their area.
During the past two weeks a number of cows have been stolen and two race horses died allegedly at the hands of the rustlers.
An American Bred race horse, Stormy Flame, which was bought for over $2M less than a year ago, was allegedly poisoned while another pregnant horse which is a foal of popular A class horse, Vera Cruz, was shot in the head.
Distressed owner of Stormy Flame, Vishal Koorchand of No. 66 Village, fought to save his horse but to no avail. The animal was seen rolling and tossing. It was later confirmed that the animal was poisoned.
The other horse was discovered dead one day earlier in the Budhan Sports Complex at No.66 with a bullet to the head. It was owned by K Seepersaud Bhola. The horse was about eight months pregnant.
Both horse owners are convinced that their animals died at the hands of the cattle rustlers, three of whom were eventually arrested and are in custody at the No 51 Police Station.
They believe that they were targeted because they helped their employer, Neville Budhan, recover four of his 15 calves which were stolen by the bandits over the last week.
The rustlers who are well known were seen and pointed out. As such the owners believe that the killing of their animals is a reprisal by the bandits.
The farmers are very upset and feel that not much is being done to help them. They stated that cattle rustling has been going on unchecked for the past decade.
They say that the Government, Ministry of Agriculture, and the Regional Administration have all failed them. If nothing is done soon cattle rearing will die in that part of the country, they said.
The legal system also came in for a flack by the farmers who lamented the length of time it takes for one case to be completed. Some cases have been before the court for over four years.
The farmers are appealing for help as the rustlers seem to have no recognition and respect for law and order as they continue to plunder the industry.
The farmers noted that the thieves find ready market in neighbouring Suriname and butchers who are willing to buy cheap.
They are calling on the authorities to set up a special court to deal with matter of such nature in a timely manner.