GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):
GUYANA POLICE have questioned two senior Guyana Energy Authority (GEA) officials following the disappearance of a trawler, tanker and a truck linked in the ongoing multimillion-dollar fuel-smuggling ring.
GEA head, Joseph O'Lall, and Operations Manager, Major Hubert Meusa, were questioned on the weekend following the disappearance of 43,000 litres of the illegal fuel and the vessels from Buddy's Farm at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, south of the capital.
The fuel is valued some G$6 million (US$30,000).
Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who holds the energy portfolio, said he was embarrassed by the latest GEA scandal.
"It is my contention that everyone who might be in a position, by action or inaction, to have contributed to the unlawful removal of the trucks and trawler should be grilled by the police," Hinds told reporters.
Last week, police and GEA officials raided the Coverden farm and seized a number of vehicles and the fishing vessel.
Investigators believe the fuel was smuggled from Trinidad and Tobago.
The police arrested 10 persons who have been placed of G$175,000 (US$875) bail each.
