Vessel linked to popular gas station busted with 20,000 UK gallons of illegal fuel

The Edmond Harris and Mother Ganga Neil which were caught with the smuggled fuel

The Guyana Energy Agency on Friday evening busted an illegal fuel operation close to Leguan in the Essequibo River where a vessel that is linked to a popular chain of gas stations in the country was seen transferring fuel which was later confirmed to be illegal into another vessel.

The two vessels ‘Edmond Harris and Mother Ganga Neil were discovered by the GEA inspectors just after 21:30hrs on Friday evening close to the island of Leguan.

Responding to questions from BIG Smith News Watch via email, the Guyana Energy Agency was not willing to disclose the names of the persons to whom the vessels are registered but this publication was able to confirm that at least one of the vessel is registered to a businessman who has gas station operations on the East Bank and West Demerara.

Asked if the vessels were which were intercepted were being monitored by the GEA in the past for similar illegal fuel smuggling operations, the GEA said that those two vessels and others are routinely monitored by the GEA staff to ensure compliance with the GEA Act and Regulations.

The interception was based on intelligence which they agency received the GEA confirmed to BIG Smith News watch. It was during the interception that Edmond Harris was transferring fuel to Mother Ganga Neil, this publication was able to confirm from the energy agency.

The Guyana Energy Agency also confirmed to BIG Smith News Watch that the total volume of fuel which were found in both of the boats was 20,000 UK gallons. According to the agency, the laboratory tests confirmed that the fuel which was being handled by the occupants of both vessels did not have the GEA’s marker in the required concentration.

According to the captain of the vessel, he brought the boat from the Waini area. Five persons according to the GEA were on the two vessels and were arrested along with support from the Parika and Lenora Police Stations and were subsequently released on self-bail on Saturday.

This publication has been able to confirm that the men were all released less than twenty-four hours after they were found in possession of the illegal fuel.

Asked if the Guyana Energy Agency followed all Standard Operating Procedures in relation to the discovery, the Guyana Energy Agency responded in the affirmation through their email. They also indicated that the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Enforcement arm was called upon to lend support to the operation.

The matter according to the GEA will be investigated, a report prepared and reviewed internally with recommendations even as the file is expected to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

The two vessels were escorted to Parika by the GEA’s Inspectors and the fuel was sampled and sealed.