Concerns over the possible movement of mercury and other potentially hazardous chemicals from Guyana into Suriname have been raised in the National Assembly, with a senior opposition parliamentarian warning that border controls in Nickerie need urgent scrutiny.
According to a report published last Friday by NickerieNieuws, NDP faction leader Rabin Parmessar said he is concerned about the possible importation of mercury and other chemicals from Guyana and announced that he would provide concrete information concerning alleged misconduct by police officers in Nickerie.
His comments came in light of questions over the effectiveness of border controls following the interception of more than two tonnes of Ying Chang at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, which was previously believed to be cyanide.
Parliamentarians are questioning how such a large quantity of a potentially hazardous chemical, transported in two trucks, was able to travel so far into Suriname before being intercepted.
Ying Chang is a Gold Leaching Reagent (GLR) used in gold extraction and the chemical is considered capable of posing risks similar to those associated with substances such as mercury and cyanide, the report said.
The Burnside seizure has therefore raised questions not only about the destination of the shipment, but also about the checks carried out along the route from Guyana, particularly in the Nickerie area.
Parmessar said the border surveillance system in Nickerie should be urgently reviewed. While raising concerns about possible misconduct by police officers, he also acknowledged the work of the officers at the Burnside checkpoint who ultimately intercepted the shipment.
However, he said the central question remains how the two trucks carrying the chemical cargo were able to pass through several controls before reaching Coronie.
His faction colleague, Ebu Jones, also expressed concern about border surveillance but cautioned against making a blanket condemnation of the police in Nickerie.
Jones pointed out that the officers stationed at Burnside are part of the same police force and were responsible for stopping the shipment.
The seizure has attracted increased attention because the material was initially suspected to be cyanide. Surinamese authorities have since clarified that the substance was not cyanide, identifying it instead as Ying Chang, also referred to in reports as Jin Chan or Yin Chan, a chemical used in the gold-mining sector.
The shipment reportedly originated in Guyana and was being transported toward Paramaribo. The drivers and an accompanying person were reportedly unable to produce the required documentation for transporting and storing the material.
The two trucks and the chemical cargo were subsequently seized, while the National Environmental Authority was tasked with verifying the substance and determining the appropriate course of action.
There has so far been no response from the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority or the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
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