Two men murdered, gold worth $37M stolen

A gold miner and a porter in his employ were reportedly murdered on Sunday morning by two masked men who also carted off with raw gold valued at about $37 million and two licensed firearms.

Dead are Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff, a 50-year-old gold miner of Bartica, Region Seven, and Donvan Washington, a 26-year-old porter who was also from Bartica. The incident occurred at around 10:00 hrs at the Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

Police Headquarters reported that Sheriff owns a six-inch land dredge operation at Arimu Backdam. At about 10:00 hrs, he reportedly ‘washed down’ about 102 ounces of raw gold and left the camp, en route to Bartica, with Washington.

Joel Stephen, 39, who is the General Manager of Sheriff’s operation, alleged that about five minutes after the men left the camp, several loud explosions which sounded like gunshots, were heard.

Stephen said he went to make checks in the area and about 500 metres away from the camp, he found both men lying in the trail with gunshot injuries about their bodies.

He also observed that both of Sheriff’s firearms- a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun- and the gold were missing. Stephen then made a report to the Bartica Police Station

Sheriff’s body was later examined and several wounds were seen on his upper right chest, his upper right thigh, his upper right arm and his left upper back.

Washington’s body was examined and wounds were seen on his lower abdomen, left chest, left shoulder, left elbow, right thigh, left thigh, and his back.

The scene was processed and one .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9MM spent shells, and three .32 spent shells were found.

Investigations into the matter continue.