Thirty-eight drums containing fuel were estimated to be 1,900 gallons were seized by inspectors of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) during an operation in the Mahaica area.
According to a statement from the GEA, the operation was conducted on Monday (April 10, 2017).
During the course of the operation, Officers observed two boats, linked together, containing several drums in the area of Helena Number One and instructed the occupants to come ashore. The men, however, initially started to sail away but shortly after, they abandoned the vessels by jumping into the river and making good their escape. Efforts to pursue them proved futile.
A public spirited citizen assisted by swimming and pulling the boats ashore.
Upon retrieving the vessels, it was discovered that there were efforts by the occupants to sink the larger of the two vessels.
Field tests carried out by GEA’s Inspectors revealed that the fuel was illegal as the marker concentration was below the legal level. As a result, all 38 drums of fuel were seized along with both vessels, an outboard engine and a gasoline powered pump. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.
