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Opposition leader’s video editor granted $600,000 bail
(Kaieteur News) – A 25-year-old video editor attached to the office of the leader of the opposition was granted $600,000 bail on Monday following his appearance in court over charges linked to the alleged illegal operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The defendant, identified as Dwayne Ross, was charged with three offences related to the operation of the UAV. He appeared on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh, where the charges were read to him.
Ross was charged with the unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle, contrary to Section 6(e) of the Civil Aviation Act 2018; unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle, contrary to Section 6(d) of the Civil Aviation Act 2018; and failure to obtain authorisation to operate an aircraft, contrary to Section 92 of the Civil Aviation Act 2018.
Dwayne Ross
He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
During the proceedings, defence counsel, Eusi Anderson raised legal objections, arguing that the charges were “bad at law” and questioned the statutory definition of a drone under the current aviation legislation. Counsel asserted that the defendant was merely seated in the rear of a vehicle outside a masjid in Leonora alongside the WIN’s leader Azruddin Mohamed, when law enforcement approached.
“This is the first time in Guyana’s history that a directive has been given the force of law to form the basis of a criminal charge,” Anderson argued, emphasising that his client denied operating any drone at the time of the police encounter. Anderson further noted that Ross’s drone licence had lapsed in 2024, as he was no longer working full-time in media.
The prosecution countered the defence’s characterisation of the events, alleging that the vehicle sped off when approached by police, leading to a pursuit that ended in Windsor Forest. The prosecutor noted that Ross’s expired licence confirmed he was unauthorised to operate drone equipment.
In its bail plea, the defence highlighted Ross’s personal circumstances, noting that he is a father to a one-year-old child and the primary caregiver for his bedridden uncle, who suffers from severe health conditions. Counsel said Ross poses no flight risk and requested the court preserve and disclose all relevant CCTV, body camera, and vehicle dashcam footage from the arrest site.
After hearing both sides, the magistrate granted bail in the sum of $200,000 on each charge, totaling $600,000. As conditions of bail, Ross is required to report to the police once monthly, at the Leonora Police Station on the first Friday of every month, and lodge his passport with the court.
The matters were adjourned to September 30, 2026, for report, and further legal submissions regarding the validity of the charges, and trial.
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