COI to probe unnamed private vessel in Guyana’s waters

Apr 01, 2017 News

Brigadier Retired Bruce Lovell has been sworn in as Chairman of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the circumstances surrounding the entry into, interception, detention and subsequent release of an unnamed private maritime vessel in Guyana’s waters.
The vessel was discovered in Guyana between February 11 and 14.

From left: Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retd) Winston Cosbert, Christine Bailey, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Brigadier (Retd) Bruce Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The COI mandated by President David Granger will see a final report submitted to him on or before April 12. The Retired Brigadier took the oath before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retd) Winston Cosbert and Christine Bailey were sworn in as members on the COI.
The COI will investigate the roles played by the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard in the detention and release of the vessel.
According to the Terms of Reference, the COI will investigate, “The circumstances under which CANU received information, including the exact date and time of receipt of such information, that an unnamed maritime vessel entered into, was intercepted, detained and search.”
“The instructions issued to the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, CANU and the role of any foreign law enforcement agencies in the conduct of the operation to intercept, detain and search the said vessel; the ownership of the vessel, its capacity, capabilities and the identities of all persons who were onboard at the time of the operation; whether CANU had the authority to order the release of the vessel and whether such an order was lawful and/or justifiable in the circumstances; whether there was any narcotic and/or prohibited substances on the vessel immediately before it was intercepted and whether any narcotic and/or prohibited substance was remove before it was intercepted.”
The Terms of Reference further outlined that the COI is also to determine whether charges are recommended to be made in relation to the reporting, investigation and prosecution of offences committed at sea and what measures, if any are required, for the prevention of the recurrence of seminal incidents.
The COI will also report on whether changes are recommended to the organization, staffing and management of CANU and the blameworthiness of any person (s) who might have acted in a manner contrary to the laws of Guyana and recommend what disciplinary action (s) if any is to be taken against any official of Guyana who was deemed to have been culpable of any act, amongst others.

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