Three of the four fishermen appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday and were released on $350,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after they were accused of stealing a fishing vessel.
Taijram Roopnarine and Hemchan Kenswain, 21, both of Annandale Market Road along with Nazim Khan, 44, of Narine Street, Annandale were not required to plead to the indictable charge. The fourth accused, Shameer Mohamed did not make an appearance.
It was alleged that on July 2, while in the vicinity of the Ruimveldt Georgetown wharf they stole the vessel which is valued at $2.5 million property of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
According to facts presented on the said day, law enforcement officers of the GRA carried out a search exercise in the said area where they seized a 55 foot wooden vessel and docked same at the Ruimveldt wharf.
However around 2:15h the vessel went missing. A search was carried out and the said vessel was seen towed allegedly by the accused who were in a smaller boat.
The men were subsequently arrested and an investigation was carried out.
Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield did not object to bail being granted but asked that the men lodge their travel documents and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Friday.
The matter will continue on July 20.
