The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce yesterday said it has taken note of the recent incident involving the theft, unlawful purchase and attempted movement of copper and issued a warning to those engaged in these acts.
The persons identified in connection with the incident were not licensed scrap-metal dealers, the ministry said. The ministry said that the individual who purchased the copper and is currently on bail is a repeat offender, having been involved in a similar incident earlier this year. The Ministry said that he is not a licensed dealer and maintains that, where violations are established, offenders must face the full brunt of the law.
“The Ministry is also placing all licensed scrap-metal dealers on notice: no dealer will be permitted to facilitate, purchase, sell, receive or otherwise deal in illegally obtained copper. Any licensed dealer found engaging in such activities will face immediate cancellation of their licence, in addition to prosecution where applicable.
“The Ministry will take decisive regulatory and enforcement action to shut down unlawful operations and prevent the continued abuse of the scrap-metal trade. The destruction of public infrastructure and the theft or unlawful removal of private property will not be tolerated. If the illegal practices within this trade continue, the Ministry will not hesitate to take the necessary steps to cancel the scrap-metal trade altogether”, the ministry warned.
For a number of years the ministry has clashed with the scrap metal dealers over illegalities in their operations. A lengthy ban had been instituted at one point.
On Friday, a 39-year-old man was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for stealing copper cable from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, while a Tuschen businessman was separately charged with receiving stolen articles in connection with the matter.
Roy Morgan, who police described as unemployed and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to simple larceny when he appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, Morgan was arrested on September 2 over the theft, which occurred between August 23 and September 1.
Meanwhile, Mustafid Pashaw, called “Mustaf”, 51, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on a charge of receiving stolen articles.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was granted $300,000 bail. As a condition of bail, he must report to the Ruimveldt Police Station on the third Friday of every month.
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