Brazilian Arrested Following Interception of Illegal Aircraft in Guyana

Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, a Brazilian gold miner, was arrested in Bashaizon Village, Guyana, following the interception of an illegal Cessna aircraft. The operation was executed by the Guyana Police Force and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, leading to the discovery of various electronic devices and a motorcycle. Saraiva admitted to using the aircraft for transport related to illegal mining activities.

In a recent operation conducted by the Guyana Police Force and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, a Brazilian miner, Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, was arrested following the interception of an illegal aircraft. This event took place on Sunday in Bashaizon Village, South Rupununi, where authorities discovered a Cessna single-engine aircraft registered as PU-MBN parked on an unauthorized airstrip approximately three miles from the main road of the village. The operation, led by Senior Superintendent Raphael Rose, involved authorities arriving via ATVs, where they then found the airstrip and the abandoned aircraft facing north. Saraiva, a 48-year-old resident of Boa Vista in Brazil, attempted to flee in a getaway vehicle but fell during the chase. Another suspect, known only as ‘Wallefi Kayck,’ escaped into Brazil after police fired warning shots. In the course of the investigation, Saraiva admitted to chartering the aircraft from a Brazilian company and confirmed that he had travelled to Venezuela with it. There, he allegedly delivered ten cylinders of mercury, which he intended to purchase more of in Guyana for gold mining operations back in Brazil. Police found various electronic devices and a hidden motorcycle during the searches related to the aircraft. The incident, which occurred at around 10:55 PM, began when law enforcement monitored the area based on received tips. The getaway vehicle reportedly collided with the aircraft during the arrest attempt, damaging significant components of the plane. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and cooperation from local individuals has reportedly been beneficial.

The illegal interception of aircraft for mining operations has become a significant issue in Guyana, given the country’s extensive natural resources and the attractiveness of illicit gold mining. The presence of unregulated airstrips and the illegal transportation of precious minerals pose risks to national security and environmental preservation. This particular incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating illegal mining operations and drug trafficking facilitated by air transport.

The arrest of Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva and the interception of the illegal aircraft underscore the persistent challenges posed by unauthorized mining activities and related criminal enterprises in Guyana. This operation highlights the crucial role of law enforcement agencies in addressing such issues, and the ongoing investigations may reveal further insights into the networks involved in these illicit activities.

Original Source: caribbean.loopnews.com