Just weeks after an investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding a private chartered aircraft landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the matter has been submitted for legal advice.
According to a Guyana Police Force (GPF) press statement on Wednesday, the Investigative Unit comprised of a Senior Officer and Ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) located at Eve-Leary, a Senior Officer attached to the Guyana Defence Force, Senior Officials of the the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), CJIA management and security officials, a senior representative of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) as well as Michael Brassington, the Pilots and a senior official of the Venezuelan Embassy- on behalf of the foreign nationals detained.
It was explained that the “Data Plate” which was initially missing “was subsequently located by the Investigative/Inspecting Team on the very aircraft, and the Log Book was also located which indicated that the aircraft had been in use since 2014.”
Moreover, all outstanding documents which were required to be submitted to the GCAA and thereafter the Investigators, were submitted and scrutinized to satisfaction.
The press statement also detailed that there was no reason to further detain the aircraft, and as such, it was released.
On July 9, 2018, INews has reported that at about 15:20hrs on the day in question, the aircraft landed at the CJIA.
It was reported that in keeping with enhanced security postures and intensified collaboration with management of the various Units /Agencies operating at the CJIA, ranks of the CANU were alerted and conducted a preliminary inspection of the aircraft and discovered certain irregularities which were promptly reported to higher Headquarters.
The Police stated that after enquiries were made, it was revealed that the pilots and passengers were invited to Guyana by one Michael Brassington, who was at the airport to receive them.
Brassington and the four passengers reported to the CID while the two pilots arrived in the company of agents of CANU. Two of the passengers and the pilots are Venezuelan.
The aircraft was detained since then.
