GEORGETOWN, Guyana - Guyana police say they have intercepted two heavily tinted motor vehicles that had earlier been “observed acting in a suspicious manner” near the private residence of President Irfaan Ali at Leonora, West Coast Demerara on Thursday night.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed in live broadcast after being questioned by police“Upon observing the vigilance of the Presidential Guards on duty, the occupants of the two vehicles sped away from the area. A distress call was immediately issued and police patrols in the area were alerted. Both motor vehicles were subsequently intercepted,” the police said in a statement, adding that investigations are continuing.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has since issued a statement indicating that it had received a report concerning two heavily tinted motor vehicles carrying four occupants in the vicinity of the President’s residence at Leonora.
“The vehicles were subsequently intercepted, and several unregistered drones were reportedly discovered in the possession of the occupants.
“The GCAA takes this matter very seriously and reminds the public that the unauthorised operation of drones, including unmanned aircraft within restricted or prohibited airspace, is illegal and may constitute a criminal offence under the Civil Aviation Act 2018 and applicable aviation regulations.”
The regulatory body warned members of the public that the operation of drones in restricted airspace, near protected locations, or in any manner that compromises aviation safety, national security or public safety will not be tolerated.
“The GCAA, together with the relevant law-enforcement and national security authorities, will take all appropriate action against persons found to be operating drones unlawfully.
Offenders will be subject to the full force of the law, including prosecution and all applicable penalties.”
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has denied owning a drone allegedly found in the vehicle he was travelling in near President Ali’s private residence.
In a statement on Friday, the police said Mohamed was released on self-bail after being questioned, while 25-year-old technician Dwayne Ross, who police said admitted owning the drone, remains in custody.
Police said that apart from Mohamed and Ross, the vehicle was also occupied by 35-year-old driver Eugene Thorne and that a search of the occupants and vehicle reportedly resulted in the discovery of a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk, along with four cellular phones.
The police said another patrol simultaneously intercepted another vehicle driven by 20-year-old Mario Mohamed and that a cellular phone was recovered.
The police said that during separate interviews, the Opposition Leader denied owning the drone and told police that it could not be operated within a restricted area.
The police statement did not indicate that any of the other men has been charged in connection with the ongoing investigation.
In a video message Mohamed said he and his team were in the area observing sea defence works, and what he suspects to be major corrupt activities in those works.
During a live broadcast in the compound of the Leonora Police Station, the Opposition Leader was seen telling a Police Officer that no drone was operating in the area.
He also said that he is unaware of any law that prohibits him or anyone else from being in a vehicle in a community where the President has his private residence.
