A Brazilian gold miner, Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, was arrested after a joint operation by the Guyana Police Force and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit intercepted an illegal aircraft in Bashaizon Village. The operation uncovered illegal airstrips and revealed Saraiva’s involvement in transporting mercury for gold mining purposes.
In a significant operation conducted by the Guyana Police Force in collaboration with the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, a Brazilian gold miner, Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, was apprehended following the interception of an illicit aircraft in Bashaizon Village, South Rupununi. This operation took place on a Sunday and was executed under the leadership of Regional Police Division 9 Commander, Senior Superintendent Raphael Rose. Law enforcement authorities intercepted a Cessna single-engine aircraft, registered as PU-MBN, located at an illegal airstrip situated approximately three miles from the village’s main thoroughfare. Upon their arrival, executed via All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), the officers discovered a vast expanse of land in the savannah, which featured the unauthorized airstrip, aligned in a north-south orientation. They found the aircraft parked on this airstrip. The suspect, Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, 48, a resident of Boa Vista, Brazil, was arrested after he was observed tumbling from a departing vehicle that had attempted to evade the authorities. His alleged accomplice, referred to as ‘Wallefi Kayck,’ managed to flee into Brazil by crossing the Takutu River, even as law enforcement personnel discharged warning shots in an attempt to apprehend him. During interrogation, Saraiva disclosed critical operational details, reporting that he had chartered the aircraft from the Santa Len De Para Company in Brazil shortly before the event. He confirmed a flight path that included a departure from Chimba Airstrip in Brazil to Venezuela, where they reportedly delivered ten cylinders of mercury, known as quicksilver. He claimed their objective in Guyana was to procure additional mercury from an individual known as ‘Mute’ for gold mining activities in Brazil. A subsequent search of the aircraft revealed various electronic devices, among them an iPhone 13 Pro Max and several Samsung Galaxy phones, in addition to Garmin GPS devices and a hidden motorcycle near the airstrip site. The apprehension action took place around 10:55 PM following intelligence received by the police, prompting a coordinated surveillance operation from the Aishalton Police Station. Notably, during the attempts to arrest the suspects, the getaway vehicle collided with the aircraft, causing damage to its right wing and front propeller. The investigation remains open, with several local witnesses providing insightful information regarding the episode.
The growing prevalence of illegal mining activities in South Rupununi, Guyana, has heightened concerns regarding environmental and safety violations. These operations often utilize illegal airstrips to transport equipment and materials pertinent to mining, notably hazardous substances like mercury, which is used in extracting gold. The partnership between the Guyana Police Force and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit aims to curtail such illegal operations, ensuring compliance with national laws and safeguarding ecological integrity.
The arrest of Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva and the seizure of an illegal aircraft exemplify the ongoing efforts of Guyanese authorities to combat illegal mining and associated activities. The operation highlights the use of law enforcement collaboration to address environmental crime and underscores the challenges posed by illicit activities in border regions. As investigations continue, further insights may lead to a more extensive crackdown on unlawful mining practices in the area.
Original Source: caribbean.loopnews.com
