Senior officer in B Division under investigation for allegedly taking bribe

A New Amsterdam, Berbice man has been arrested, while a senior rank is accused of accepting an $800,000 bribe to not lay charges against the accused in an illegal firearm case who is currently on remand.
Kevin France, 51, a self-employed man of Lot 55 Palmyra Village, Berbice, is accused of having one 9 mm pistol and 13 live rounds in a car without being the holder of a firearm licence.
Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine told Guyana Times that the investigation has been launched and the Police want to get to the bottom of the allegation, since a senior Police Officer has been implicated.
“The Commander drew something to my attention, but I am satisfied that the man who was found with the firearm has been charged and is before the court. I asked that an investigation be launched, because of the fact that a senior officer is involved; it could have been any officer; we need to get down to the bottom of it to find out whether it is true or false,” Ramnarine told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview.
The investigation was launched after a phone conversation between Frances’ wife, Destiny Harris, and someone claiming to be the Senior Officer was given to the Police. During the conversation, the $800,000 bribe was requested:
VOICE OF MAN –“I can release the car this afternoon if you want.”
VOICE OF HARRIS – “Yes, I would like to have the car back this afternoon. So I give you the eight hundred today and tomorrow to the court?”
VOICE OF MAN – “Yes, you come to the court tomorrow and someone will take the money and he will be out.”
VOICE OF HARRIS – “So the whole case will be finished and there will be no story?”
VOICE OF MAN – “It could have been finished already…”
VOICE OF HARRIS – “When will this person be out?”
VOICE OF MAN – “He could have been out already. I will go over just now and call the person and call you back and tell you what to do… Don’t tell any one that you spoke to me. Don’t tell nobody because I am assisting you. When you came to bring the cash to me, you alone. Get dressed and I will call you back just now.”
On Monday, Jason Thomas told Guyana Times that the Police had detained his car and were charging him for having a dark tint.
“The Police knew why my car got the tint and they never charge me. Look the other day I stop right in front of the station and picked up three girls … Now they want to charge me,” Thomas complained.
Harris took the recording to Attorney-at-Law Charrandass Persaud who said the Police confirmed that the voice on the recording was not that of the senior rank but that of a conman, Jason Thomas.
He said, “The voice was identified by a senior police rank and also the girl herself as that of Jason Thomas who is known to the Police for all kinds of things.”
Investigations revealed that Thomas was once a student of Harris.
Thomas, who was arrested, was on Monday released. He also told this publication that he had a good relationship with the Police.
When contacted, the senior rank, who was initially implicated, said senior investigators were handling the matter. He said he was informed that Thomas was put on station bail as investigators are gathering more evidence. However, he noted that he could not comment further on the matter.
The Attorney says that Thomas could be charged for receiving money under false pretence and for impersonation the officer. “The fact is that you have to get the voice analysed by an expert.”
According to Persaud, when he was contacted, he advised Harris not to pay any more money. By this time, however, she had already handed over $800,000.
Guyana Times could not ascertain whether Harris had a confrontation with Thomas in the presence of Police. However, Police are continuing to gather evidence.