A police sergeant attached to the Licensing and Certifying Office at the Springlands Police Station in Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who has been placed under close arrest in connection with an alleged driver’s licence fraud scheme, has reportedly implicated senior police officers in the racket.
The investigation is being conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
The sergeant was arrested by SOCU ranks acting on information received after they intercepted a motorcar, registration number PAG 3344, which was being driven by the police officer at the time.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a haversack containing 94 competency letters for various classes of vehicles, bearing the names of different individuals, none of whom were from the Springlands, Corentyne area. Police also found $564,000 in cash and US$40.
Upon questioning, the police sergeant could not provide a reasonable account for having the items, and as such, he was taken back to the Springlands Police Station Licensing and Certifying Office, where a search was conducted.
During the search, two additional competence books with 61 competencies written for separate persons and classes of vehicles, showing that individuals did not complete the practical examination, but certificates of competence were already written in their names.
The said books, along with other books used at the said office, were seized. Further, the sergeant was questioned about selling licences but indicated that he was doing it for several senior officers within the force and that he was required to pay out over $1.5 million in bribes weekly.
Meanwhile, this publication understands that the police officer had been arrested by SOCU several months ago for alleged corrupt practices. At the time, he was reportedly placed in custody at TSU lockups and was allegedly released by the police commissioner. He was reinstated to oversee the issuing of licenses at Springlands.
Meanwhile, as the probe continues, SOCU is expected to arrest other police officers and civilians in the coming days.
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