Drug smuggling soldiers ‘questionably’ allowed to disrobe before profiling

The two latest Guyana Defense Force soldiers who were busted on Saturday night ferrying a large quantity of narcotics were offered special treatment during the profiling exercise while in police custody.

The narcotics the soldiers were ferrying at the time

Detectives indicated that they received instructions for the men who were caught with the drugs while in their army uniform, to be allowed to change over into civilian attire before their images were taken as images with them in their uniform would embarrass the Defense Force.

Police, security guards, and other persons wearing agency and company attire usually have their profile images taken just as they are when arrested and that is usually used for publication when they are charged.

Just last week two soldiers who were caught ferrying drugs in a Guyana Defense Force vehicle were profiled in their GDF uniform as it is what they were wearing at the time of their arrest. The Chief of Staff had described the situation as a ‘Professional embarrassment’.

Head of the Guyana Police Force CCU Mark Ramotar was asked about the decision to have the men disrobe but up to press time, no response was forthcoming.

Defense Force Chief of Staff Omar Khan on Saturday morning said that he continues to have the obligation and responsibility of having men and women in the army who are nothing less than professional.