Prime suspects in cop’s murder still at large, 2 others further remanded.
As the prime suspects in the murder of Police Constable Quincy Lewis remain at large, two of their alleged accomplices have been further remanded to prison.
Shafeek Vernom called “Profit”, 25, of Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and 35-year-old Jamel Van Lewis of Durban Street, Georgetown appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday, last at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.
They have not been required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between June 18, 2020 and June 18, 2021, at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), they murdered Constable Lewis. The duo was further remanded to prison until June 23.
Skeletal remains believed to be those of Constable Lewis’s were found in a shallow grave along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway on Wednesday, April 19.
Dead: Quincy Lewis
Following the discovery, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a wanted bulletin for a husband and wife in connection with the cop’s murder.
The bulletins identified the suspects as Thakurdal Samaroo, 57, and Naqeeba Zahid Zafarali, 34, both of Lot 7 Ogle Front Road, ECD.
They have been jointly charged along with Vernom and Lewis.
It is believed that they are hiding out in the USA and the Police are looking to have them extradited to face prosecution here.
In addition, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has issued Red Notices for the couple.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. Extracts of Red Notices are published at the request of the member country concerned and where the public’s help may be needed to locate an individual or if the individual may pose a threat to public safety.
Magistrate Latchman has also issued arrest warrants for Zafarali and his wife.
According to the Police, the couple is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder which occurred on the East Bank of Demerara. It is believed that the cop might have been slain over a romantic relationship he was having with a married woman.
Constable Lewis’ remains were found after the above-named murder accused led Police ranks from the Police Force’s Major Crimes Investigations and Cold Case Units to the area off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Constable Lewis was attached to the Agricola Police Outpost.
The Policeman was last seen alive by relatives around 5.00 p.m. on June 19, 2020, after leaving his family’s La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WCD) for work. The Police have said that DNA testing will be done on the skeletal remains.
Investigations are ongoing.
