How did the Netherlands drug kingpin enter Guyana and stayed so long?

Mar 22, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

Newsroom on March 18 reported that Vitesh Jamnapersad Guptar, believed to be a Dutchman of Surinamese descent, a national of the Netherlands, was arrested by Guyana police. He was arrested at Duke Lodge hotel, right opposite the USA Embassy. His brazenness of taking shelter right next to the American Embassy!

Guptar is listed by Interpol as being wanted for drug trafficking. This drug baron has ‘cojenes’, strutting himself in bravado just a few feet from the Embassy of the most powerful country in the globe.

The Dutchman has been on the wanted list for drug trafficking for a long time. Interpol put out a warrant for his arrest. He has been on the run. He hid in Guyana and met and socialized with high government officials. He opened a business. He was traced to Guyana through facial recognition. The Guyana police was informed of his presence and whereabouts including where he was staying and had no choice but to pick him up. He could no longer be protected by officials once Intelligence Departments in USA and Europe tracked him to Guyana and became familiar with his whereabouts.

It could not be that our Immigration Department, the government, and the police did not know Guptar was wanted in Holland and Europe. Interpol wanted list is shared with every government and kept at every airport. Apparently, he took up residence in Guyana, right after the change in political administration in 2020. He started a business. How is that possible? Is his business involved in money laundering? How come so many wanted criminals, drug traffickers, gun smugglers, and terrorists end up in Guyana and during the tenure of the PPP administration? Any time international law enforcement is seeking a criminal, they first turn to Guyana. Why is our country harbouring and sheltering criminals?

Guptar opted for residence at a hotel that is owned by the national security advisor to the government. This building that became a hotel was previously owned by the government. How did he end up there?

Pictures making the rounds on Facebook show the man dressed in very expensive clothing. One picture shows his wife being entertained by First Lady Arya Ali in a very posh setting befitting a king or queen. How did this drug baron enter Guyana? How did he and his spouse get to meet top officials? Why did the First Lady entertain his wife? Was he being protected and if so, by whom?

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