PARMARIBO – The police on Friday announced that they have launched an investigation to find out where the illegal weapons that were seized came from. Police Commissioner Bryan Isaacs revealed that the ICT division of the police force has developed an application to keep track of all the weapons that are seized. This information will be placed in a database that will be linked with the databases of regional and international agencies. “That way we can find out if the weapons are from another country. We will also receive equipment that will make it easier to investigate these weapons,” said Commissioner Isaacs who added that the focus is aimed at illegal weapons. The police commissioner made it clear that all illegal weapons will be taken out of the community. “This is how we want to make people feel safe. It is unacceptable for people without authorisation to be in possession of weapons. Suriname does not manufacture weapons. These weapons are brought into our territory from other countries,” said Isaacs…[+]

HAVANA — Three Russian warships arrived in Cuban waters on Saturday, Moscow’s second such maritime voyage in as many months in a reflection of deepening ties between Russia and Cuba.

The naval group, consisting of a training ship, patrol frigate and refueling tanker, are expected to remain docked in Cuba’s port of Havana until July 30. The arrival of the vessels comes mere weeks after another squadron of Russian warships, including a powerful nuclear-powered submarine, visited Havana as part of planned military exercises last month.

American officials closely tracked the mid-June military exercises, saying that the four-vessel group posed no real threat. At the time, experts described the warships’ Caribbean tour as a symbolic show of strength in response to continued U.S. and Western support for Ukraine. Cuban defense officials announced the latest port call earlier this week, calling the arrival of the Russian warships a “historical practice” and show of “friendship and collaboration.” But neither government elaborated on the purpose of this latest deployment.

Cuba greeted the Baltic fleet on Saturday with a booming cannon salute. The docking of the flotilla has sparked a flurry of excitement among the general public, with Cubans strolling the port avenue to get a better glimpse of the warships Saturday and authorities saying interested visitors would be admitted on board the Russian training ship, called Smolniy, on Sunday and Monday.(ABC News)…[+]

GEORGETOWN – In a major drug bust, two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks in uniform were apprehended with 316 pounds of narcotics during a intelligence-led operation by the Special Branch and other police units.

The operation took place around 21:20 hrs Saturday night. Acting on received intelligence, Special Branch officers and other ranks intercepted a Route 42 motor bus (#BTT 27) on Mandela Avenue, behind the botanical garden. The bus was owned and driven by Edward McCalmont, a 40-year-old Corporal of the GDF stationed at Camp Ayanganna and residing in Kaneville, EBD. Also in the bus was John Johnson, a 24-year-old Lance Corporal from Base Camp Stephenson, residing in Timehri, EBD. Both men were in full uniform at the time of the arrest.

The police informed the men of the reason for the stop, citing intelligence that suggested they were involved in narcotics trafficking. A search of the bus, conducted in the presence of the two GDF ranks, revealed forty-nine large parcels wrapped in transparent plastic on the bus seats. Upon opening the parcels, the police discovered a substance consisting of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. Both soldiers were informed of their alleged offense, arrested, and cautioned.

The GDF ranks, along with the bus and the seized narcotics, were transported to the East La Penitence Police Station. The cannabis, when weighed, totaled 316 pounds. The soldiers remain in custody as investigations continue.  This drug bust follows a similar operation last week in which two other GDF ranks, Staff Sergeant Adisa Higgins and Sergeant Clovis Sam, were arrested with 154 pounds of cannabis. (Newsroom)…[+]