Cattle thieving on the rise in Berbice – Farmers

Aug 17, 2025 News

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…police unable to curb situation

By Shervin Belgrave

Kaieteur News – Farmers are complaining that cattle rustling is on the rise in Region Six and it is costing them millions in losses. Police have agreed that the offence is very common in the region but solving cases and prosecuting the offenders is even more challenging.

One businessman, Ron Soogrim is so fed up that he returned to Guyana from the United States of America (U.S.) after learning that cattle rustlers had again stolen one of his cattle.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Wednesday, Soogrim an entrepreneur in the U.S. (founder of Devsoo Farms LLC) said that one of his calves was stolen from the backlands in the vicinity of Number 70 Village, East Berbice Corentyne, Region Six.

He was abroad when an employee informed him of the theft.

“The caretaker, Bhola, said that a few individuals from the area loaded my animal on a (Canter) truck going to Leguan (an island on the East Bank of Essequibo, Region 3),” Soogrim told Kaieteur News.

The businessman then advised his employee to call the Springlands Police Station at Number 51 Village, Corentyne to report the matter.

He too reportedly called the Regional Police Headquarters in New Amsterdam and informed them of the situation.

Kaieteur News understands that the Canter was stopped before it left the district and the animals were impounded at the station.

Several cows onboard the truck were allegedly stolen, and the employee was able to identify Soogrim’s calf. Recognising the severity of the situation, Soogrim decided to come to Guyana to have the matter properly addressed since it was not the first time his cows were stolen.

Police in Region Six have confirmed that the cattle were impounded and an investigation has been launched. Several persons were arrested, Commander of Region Six Shivpersaud Bacchus told Kaieteur News.

Two persons were reportedly placed before the court.

Meanwhile, Soogrim who said he has been losing significant funds as a result of cattle theft invited Kaieteur News to Berbice to observe cattle rearing and talk to persons about the situation.

On Friday, Kaieteur News visited the Corentyne backlands where cattle grazed and listened to concerns of those affected.

Ameir Rajpaul told this publication that cattle rearing is his main source of income, but he also rears sheep, goats and ducks and chicken.

He said one goat or sheep is worth about $100,000 when he sells to a butcher.

Rajpaul highlighted the importance of cattle rearing in contributing towards feeding Guyana, but cattle rustling is chasing investors and killing the business.

Like Soogrim, Rajpaul expressed frustration with the investigation process employed by the police. This, he said, results in financial loss.

“Dem a keep animal suh lang in the station that dem does dead or come back sick,” an aggrieved farmer told Kaieteur News.

Public must be made aware

Soogrim said he wants the public to “be aware of what is happening with cattle rustling in the Berbice region.”

“This thing has been going on a while and most of the farmers are poor,” Soogrim said while also criticizing police for the slothful pace of their investigations into cattle rustling.

“They don’t even take statements when the matter is reported and I can vouch for that. I went to the police station and there is no record of a report being filed,” he claimed.

Commander Bacchus, in response to the concerns raised by the farmers, told Kaieteur News that the police have been dealing with the matters as best they could. He noted that the problem has existed for some time and he has noted a spike in reports.

The commander explained that persons are not only stealing cattle but also sheep, goats and horses. He said a number of cases were placed before the court, the police experiences challenges during the investigation process. He said three days before Kaieteur News’ visited to the location, there were three reports of sheep theft.

…They are not branding the animals (especially calf over six months old),” Bacchus said while noting that farmers must also take responsibility too. Not only by protecting their animals but also making sure that they are branded. Without an identification mark, it makes the police’s job difficult to ascertain who might be the rightful owners.

Moreover, Commander Bacchus said that cattle farmers also play a role in hindering police investigation when they settle the matter with the persons accused of stealing the animals.
“Some of their own workers are colluding with the cattle thieves and when we arrest these persons, you know what the owners are doing? They are settling these matters,” Bacchus said.

Kaieteur News, during a visit to the Springlands Police Station, recognised that the investigation process was lengthy. At that time, there were two calves and a heifer (impounded for nine months) at the station. The heifer appeared malnourished.

Meanwhile, nearby, three farmers stood hurling accusations against each other. They each accused the other of cattle theft.

Police were put to task and eventually summoned a veterinarian to assist in their investigations.

The veterinarian explained his role to Kaieteur News and allowed Kaieteur News to observe his questioning of the farmers. He queried about distinguishing marks, branding numbers and other unique identifiers of the animals.

He then examined the animals to see if the information provided by the farmers matched. That information was then handed over to the police. Thereafter, police would take the statements from all parties involved.

During that investigative process, the farmers agreed among themselves to settle the matter.

One official opined that it is better to settle the matter in the best interest of the animals as they become very sick while in police custody.

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• Berbice, cattle rustling, cattle theft, cow, Farmers, Ron Soogrim, Springlands Police Station

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