Measures afoot to deal with pirates

Measures afoot to deal with pirates
Guyana Chronicle
March 11, 2004

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Measures are being implemented to deal with pirates operating in Guyana's waters. At his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Roger Luncheon, told reporters that in light of recent reports the administration has initiated a series of steps, including heightened surveillance and intelligence gathering, to address the concerns of stakeholders.

The Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, and the Ministry of Agriculture are engaged in this activity, Dr. Luncheon said.

Reports suggest that the pirates may be escaping to neighbouring Suriname, but according to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, incoming reports suggest that the pirates make their escape in a northerly direction.

Dr. Luncheon also noted previous examples of piracy and targeted hideouts on the Suriname bank of the Corentyne River, suggest that Guyanese may be involved in the illegal activity.

According to reports, there is a thriving market for boat - engines and fishing nets, which seem to be the primary targets for the pirates.

The pirates are said to be armed with shotguns and pose a formidable threat to fishermen who may think of opposing them.

Agriculture Minister Satydeow Sawh and a team of officials are scheduled to be in the Berbice area on Thursday, where they plan to meet with fishermen.