Opp. Leader’s drone operator gets bail over flying charge

September 7 2026

25-Y-O Dwayne Ross has been charged with three offences related to the alleged unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and has been granted bail.

Ross of Princess Street, Georgetown, appeared on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh.

Ross was charged with two counts of Unlawful Operation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, contrary to Sections 6(e) and 6(d) of the Civil Aviation Act 2018, and Failure to Obtain Authorisation to Operate an Aircraft, contrary to Section 92 of the Act.

He pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 on each charge, totalling $600,000.

As part of his bail conditions, Ross is required to report to police once monthly and lodge his passport with the court. The matters were adjourned to September 30, 2026, for report.

The charges stem from an incident on Thursday, September 3, when police reportedly received information that persons travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser were operating a drone over the vicinity of the President’s residence at Leonora WCD.

The vehicle, registration PAB 4000, was subsequently intercepted along the Windsor Forest Public Road. Police said it was occupied by 39-year-old Mohamed, 35-year-old driver Eugene Thorne and Ross.

A search of the vehicle and occupants reportedly led to the discovery of a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk, along with four cellular phones.

The men, vehicle and items were taken to the Leonora Police Station.

Police also intercepted motor car PXX 5300, driven by 20-year-old Mario Mohamed.

A cellular phone was reportedly recovered from that vehicle, and the driver and vehicle were taken to the station.

During separate interviews, Mohamed reportedly denied ownership of the drone and told police that it could not be operated within a restricted area.

He was subsequently released on self-bail.

Ross reportedly admitted ownership of the drone, stating that he purchased it about one month earlier.

Police said he also disclosed that his licence to operate a drone had expired in 2023, although he claimed to have a certificate.

Thorne reportedly told investigators that he had travelled to Leonora with Mohamed and Ross to inspect the sea defence. He denied seeing anyone operate the drone or record the President’s residence.

Ross was not operating the drone at the time since the drone cannot fly in the area they were accused of flying the drone as it is designated a no fly zone by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, that the area is the private resident of President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali.

Investigators subsequently searched Ross’s home, where another drone reportedly owned by him was seized.

The matter remains before the court.