Interpol to assist GPF in efforts to extradite former GPL’s Deputy CEO

By Kristen Macklingam

The International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL, has reportedly been contacted to lend assistance to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in having the former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Aeshwar ‘Ash’ Deonarine extradited from Canada.

INews understands that local law enforcement officials have made an application to INTERPOL for a ‘Red Notice’ to be published for Deonarine who had left Guyana for Canada shortly after an audit ordered by the government revealed that he had paid himself $27M from the GPL’s accounts as “back pay”.

This payment had allegedly been made to the former Deputy CEO of the utility company without the knowledge, and by extension, approval of the company’s full Board of Directors (BoD).

Meanwhile, Guyanese law enforcement officials continue to aggressively pursue his extradition so that criminal charges can be instituted against him for the alleged unauthorised withdrawal of the large sum of money.

When contacted today, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum refrained from disclosing details pertaining to Deonarine’s case as he stated that the investigation is currently on-going and that he would not be able to divulge any sensitive information to the media at this point in time.

However, Blanhum did acknowledge that he has been communicating on a regular basis with international law enforcement authorities and that, to date, they are “being very co-operative”.

“We, the GPF, are well aware of what jurisdiction Mr Deonarine is within but that is information I cannot at this time give out. The Force has its Standard Operating Procedures to follow and we are working assiduously to have this matter dealt with. An arrest warrant has already been forwarded to the relevant authorities,” the Crime Chief said.
It should be noted that Deonarine has always maintained he is innocent of any wrongdoing during his tenure at GPL. He had also indicated that he is willing to return to Guyana to defend himself in a court of law.