Gold miner charged with manslaughter

Eulex Andre Jeffery, called “Ratty,” a 45-year-old gold miner of Company Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, has been charged in connection with the death of Moses Chappelle, called “Bizo.”

He also faces charges for firearm and ammunition offences.

In a release, Police Headquarters said the first charge, manslaughter, was laid contrary to Section 94 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01. He was also charged with having firearms and ammunition without licenses.

On Thursday, Jeffery appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where the charges were read to him.

In relation to the manslaughter charge, he was not required to plead, and was granted $600,000 bail. In relation to the firearm and ammunition charges, he pleaded not guilty. Bail was granted in the sum of $200,000 for the firearm charge and $100,000 for the ammunition charge.

The matters were adjourned to June 8, 2026, for continuation.

In a previous release, Police Headquarters said Chapelle was reportedly killed on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at about 21:30hrs at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River.

As the probe into the man’s death continued, ranks found an AM-15 rifle and a .32 pistol, along with multiple magazines and rounds of ammunition in the Cuyuni River area. These included two magazines containing 42 live .223 rounds, one magazine with four live .32 rounds, a 9mm magazine, as well as 70 additional .223 rounds and 48 live 9mm rounds.