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Elite Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad disbanded for non-performance

Jul 18, 2015 News

Almost 15 years after it was established to stem the illegal cross border trade in Guyana’s eastern county, Government has announced the dismantling of its elite Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS).
According to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday, the decision was taken after careful consideration. It comes at a time when the performance of the unit left much to be desired.
“The unit was established in November 2000 with the objective of curbing smuggling within the Corentyne/Berbice area. An examination of the effectiveness of BASS revealed that the unit was performing below expectation, with a rapid decrease in revenue collection over the period 2012-2015, and as such, it was deemed not feasible to continue operations.”
BASS operation had seen it closely collaborating with the GRA Law Enforcement and Investigations Division (LEID).
Under new arrangements, BASS operations will see it being fully integrated into that of LEID, GRA disclosed.
“It should be noted that prior to the implementation of BASS in 2000, LEID was responsible for the functions performed by BASS.  These functions included the patrolling of waterways and roadways to suppress smuggling.”
With regards to the employees of BASS, GRA said that the former members will be paid their full benefits owed to them once the unit is disbanded. The disbandment was ordered shortly after a member of BASS was charged with shooting a labourer to death earlier this month.
Shafraz Khan, 40, a father of two, of Hassim Street, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared on July 9 before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. The BASS official was accused of fatally shooting 40-year-old Charles Caesar, called ‘Nagasar’, a father of two, of Fyrish Village, Corentyne, on Friday July 3, last, at the Number 67 Village foreshore.
Khan is accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Caesar thereby causing him injuries from which he subsequently died. Caesar was reportedly shot in his leg and left on the foreshore for hours after the shooting.
Khan had been employed with BASS as a Customs monitoring officer.
Caesar was among six men on the foreshore offloading a boat that allegedly came from neighbouring Suriname with smuggled goods around 20:00 hrs on Saturday when they were intercepted by members of BASS.
With thousands of Guyanese living in Suriname, BASS responsibilities had been to halt the smuggling of goods and drugs across the Corentyne River.
However, the incidents have been occurring, despite BASS presence. Guns, drugs, chicken and even gold have been making it across the river.

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