Illegal immigrants who arrived via back back-track in custody

Regional Commander Calvin Brutus 

Nine Cubans and one Irish national are soon to be placed before the court for entering Guyana illegally via the backtrack route in Berbice which links Guyana with Suriname. The individuals are to be charged with illegal entry and breach of the COVID-19 restriction according to Region 6 Commander, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus.

A taxi driver who facilitated the movement of the illegal immigrants from their point of entry to a hotel was also arrested and is expected to be charged by the police. This publication was told that the taxi driver has been in constant contact with boat operators in Nickerie, Suriname who have been shuttling the Cubans and other nationals into Guyana over a period of time undetected by local law enforcement.

Five of the nationals arrested were being housed at a Guesthouse in Skeldon and the others were arrested while walking freely along the No72 Public Road Corentyne, Berbice moments after they were dropped off by a boat. The national began walking after they never showed up at the specific location where they were to be dropped off.

Upon their arrests, the nationals were placed into the custody of health workers who immediately quarantine them and conducted tests for COVID-19 on each individual.

Regional Chairman David Armogan repeated comments which were made a few months ago by Commander Brutus that while sections of the coast are being monitored for illegal entries and drop-offs, the stretch is too long to be effectively policed and those making the drop-offs have been utilizing the entire stretch.

“If you notice, the majority of the new cases in Guyana are coming from regions closest to the borders. So if persons are continuously being smuggled into Guyana then we will begin seeing new cases emerging from our 

Region” the regional chairman noted

Armogan and Brutus said taxi drivers on the Corentyne who are responsible for persons entering Guyana should desist from such as they are making it more vulnerable for persons to be infected with the deadly virus.