Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his MPs have been released following their arrest last night at Leonora, but his cameraman, driver and another man remain in custody as police investigate alleged unauthorised drone activity near President Irfaan Ali’s private residence.
Mohamed is in court this morning for the continuation of his extradition proceedings.
In an update on the drone investigation, police said one device was found in the vehicle carrying Mohamed and another was subsequently discovered at his cameraman’s home.
According to police, information was received at approximately 6.30 pm yesterday that persons travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser were allegedly operating a drone over the area.
Ranks intercepted the vehicle, bearing registration PAB 4000, on the Windsor Forest Public Road. Its occupants were identified as Mohamed, 39; driver Eugene Thorne, 35; and Dwayne Ross, 25, whom police described as a technician.
Police said searches of the men and vehicle yielded a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk and four cellular phones. The occupants, vehicle and items were taken to the Leonora Police Station.
A separate patrol intercepted motor car PXX 5300, driven by Mario Mohamed, 20. Police said a cellular phone was recovered and he and the vehicle were also taken to the station.
During separate interviews, police said, the Opposition Leader denied ownership of the drone and maintained that it could not be operated within a restricted area. He was initially released on self-bail.
Ross reportedly acknowledged owning the device, saying he had purchased it approximately one month ago. According to police, he said his drone operating licence had expired in 2023, but that he possessed a certificate.
Thorne told investigators that he had accompanied Mohamed and Ross to Leonora to inspect the sea defence. He denied seeing anyone operate the drone or record the President’s residence.
Mario Mohamed reportedly said he was returning from Parika when he stopped at the Leonora seawall to meet the Opposition Leader. Police said he subsequently declined to answer further questions and requested an attorney.
Ranks from Regional Police Divisions Three, Four ‘A’ and Four ‘B’ later searched the homes of Ross, Thorne and Mario Mohamed. Another drone was reportedly found at Ross’s residence. Police said nothing incriminating was discovered at Mario Mohamed’s home, but gave no result for the search at Thorne’s residence.
The account differs from an earlier Guyana Civil Aviation Authority notice referring to several unregistered drones reportedly found in the intercepted vehicles.
As reported Mohamed disputed that account during a live broadcast following his initial release, saying one drone had been found and that it belonged to his photographer. He denied that it had been flown over the President’s residence and said the photographer was willing to provide access to the device and its footage.
Mohamed said he had visited Leonora to examine sea-defence works following residents’ concerns. He also denied an earlier police allegation that the vehicles had sped away.
At the end of the broadcast, Mohamed and party representatives were taken into custody after officers challenged their filming in the area. Members of the group maintained that they were on a public roadway and questioned the grounds for their arrest.
Mohamed and his MPs were subsequently released, while Ross and Thorne and the third remain detained.
The police statement announced no charges and said investigations were continuing.
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