Two Guyanese Kidnapped by Venezuelan Syndicato Gang
August 27 2025
Two Guyanese men have allegedly been kidnapped by a Venezuelan Syndicato gang operating along the volatile Cuyuni River near Eteringbang in Region Seven.
According to a police report, one of the missing men has been identified as 66-year-old boat captain Fredrick Pollard, known as Freddie Ghanie, of Second Avenue, Bartica.
Pollard was last in contact with relatives on August 24, 2025, after departing Ekereku Backdam with a male porter aboard his vessel. He was reportedly heading back to Devil Hole Landing, where he frequently shuttled fuel for a local businessman.
According to his son, Dameon Williams, a boat builder from River’s View, Essequibo River, Pollard communicated by phone that morning but has not been heard from since. Williams told investigators he later received a call from an unknown source claiming his father had been seized by armed Syndicato members in the vicinity of Botanamu Creek.
Police have since confirmed portions of this account through a separate witness statement provided by Collin Mathews, also called ‘Blacks,’ a 36-year-old boat captain from San Martin, Venezuela. Mathews told investigators that while ferrying nine passengers near Black Water Mouth, gunshots rang out before his vessel was intercepted and diverted into a creek by armed Syndicato men.
While being held at gunpoint, Mathews and his passengers reportedly saw Pollard and another unidentified male alive in the same location. He said the gang members eventually confiscated a drum of fuel from his boat before releasing him and the passengers.
Police later conducted video interviews with all nine passengers — Antonio Baldeo, Hunter Williams, Damion Haynes, Davis Williams, David John, Patrick Williams, Geronimo John, Curtis Joseph, and Deibi Joseue Bolivar — each of whom corroborated Mathews’ testimony.
The Guyana Police Force has since taken written statements from all witnesses and continues to gather intelligence in collaboration with regional security officials.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the second abducted man and investigations remain ongoing.
