GUN AMNESTY ENDS, CRIMINALS NOW FACE THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW

The six-week firearm amnesty programme that commenced on September 1, 2015 netted a modest total of 186 illegal firearms. These included 153 shotguns, 13 pistols, 10 air rifles, nine revolvers and one AK-47 rifle in addition to an assortment of ammunition for hand pistols and assault rifles, gun cleaning equipment and other components. The overriding hope was that the amnesty would have rid the streets and the hinterland of the thousands of illegally acquired weapons which are commonly known to be in the hands of young and seasoned criminals.  Both the police force and the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had a slim expectation that some of the retrieved weapons could be linked to at least some unsolved homicides, home invasions and other serious crimes but those hopes dissolved after ballistics test results came back. However, Minister Ramjattan was satisfied that at least the programme was able to remove some illegal weapons and over 2000 rounds of ammunition from circulation.  He now has no other choice than to apply (or recommend the institution of) the full force of the law to any person who is found in possession of any type of unlicensed firearm, ammunition or related components. One concerned observer stated that wherever possible, the applicable statutes currently on the law books should be minutely examined to ensure that the creative criminal activities we experience today which impinge on the basic freedoms of every Guyanese, receive punishments commensurate with the results of the crimes they commit.  Wherever possible, some pieces of legislation should be re-drafted to give law enforcement and the judiciary the latitude they need to deal condignly with criminals. For any number of reasons, criminals (not all of whom are Guyanese) have become extremely bold and daring, acting as though they would not be caught and punished. It takes no stretch of the imagination to conclude that this boldness evolved from the infamous crime spree that followed the infamous 2002 Camp St. jail break.  The ‘black’ operations of confessed drug and gun trafficking kingpin, Roger Khan, who claimed to have had connections and directions from high up the hierarchy of the previous government, succeeded in stultifying the local police force. Change has come but the unwelcome reality is that the police are forced to begin at the beginning.  The just concluded gun amnesty was one intervention.  What follows will be a no-holds-barred crackdown on any person or group found in possession of illegal firearms.  Minister Ramjattan has said that before and while the amnesty was in force the police had been gathering very useful intelligence on the known haunts of criminals, their habits, and their spotters who identify potential targets. Near the top of the agenda is the programme to castrate the worrying frequency of robberies perpetrated on visitors, especially returning relatives of ordinary citizens, who are openly followed from the airports and pounced upon either at their destinations on along the way in daytime or night.  Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes recently pointed out that this is a worrying feature that has the potential to deter tourists.  She said that some returning Guyanese post too much information on social media about the time of their arrival and the purposes of their visits, e.g. to sell or purchase property or attend weddings. The public education programme that is to be launched shortly ahead of the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Q2 2016 will contain a component that urges visitors to desist from this practice and to utilize other means to inform friends and relatives of their impending visits. In the meantime, the all-encompassing strategy to eradicate this drugs-, alcohol- and greed-fuelled crime spree is also directed at small and large scale entrepreneurs and senior citizens living alone who have been attacked with alarming frequency in the secure comfort of their homes and business places.  Often it appears that the bandits know exactly what they intend to collect – foreign currency, jewellery, travel documents and expensive electronics, and they’re not shy about demanding it. This underground industry of crime was not spawned yesterday. The masterminds learnt the trades many years ago.  In the last two decades, especially following the aforementioned Camp Street jail break and the rise of Roger Khan’s Phantom killers, young people have been able to acquire guns of every caliber with way too much ease.  We’ve also received reports that certain criminal masterminds conduct training ‘schools’ for boys and girls that specialize in the techniques of identifying vulnerable citizens, taking their possessions and making a clean get-away. The plan devised by the Ministry of Public Security and law enforcement top brass also involves a strategy to smash the ring of importers of illegal weapons, tracking devices and the electronic paraphernalia used in the execution of crimes   from neighbouring countries and as far away as Russia, China, and the Middle East.  The objective is to close their avenues of import (including the backtrack), cut off their revenue streams then incarcerate them.  This is going to be a protracted operation but the dedication of all agencies involved is being fuelled by the need to push economic development forward, secure the lives and properties of our citizens, and repair Guyana’s image overseas.  The latter will encourage the world’s tourists to visit Destination Guyana, experience our natural attractions and ultimately contribute to the business growth, consumer confidence, and an ebullient services sector. The government is very determined to restore for every Guyanese a safe and secure nation in which they could plant, mine, sell, serve and socialize in peace.  This programme involves a number of ministries and departments of government including Social Cohesion, Labour and Social Welfare, Tourism, Public Security and the Presidency. “Criminals have no place, have no home.  We will go after them relentlessly with every tool, every asset of the State.   Criminals and their handlers must understand that the State will not sit idly by and allow them to run riot on the streets of this country. We’re sending a clear message that wherever the intelligence leads us, we will follow.  There will be no sacred cows.  We have ZERO TOLERANCE for crime!” Joseph Harmon, Minister of State.