Five months after gold miner and former policeman Delon Alexander went missing, police now believe he was in fact abducted along the Church of God Road in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on May 7, 2024.
Police have issued wanted bulletins for two suspects; 28-year-old Kevral Hatton, also known as “Smokey,” from Lot 36 Vigilance, and 42-year-old Mark Cromwell, known as “Demon” and “Diamond,” from Lot 40 Vigilance and Lot 10 Buxton.
On the morning of his disappearance, Alexander left his home to purchase building supplies at Best Buy at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara.
Afterward, he reportedly boarded a bus to Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton. He has not been heard from since.
Alexander is a former policeman who was caught trafficking a large quantity of marijuana in 2018.
The ExxonMobil Futsal Championship, organized by New Era Entertainment, is set to kick off tonight at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.
The competition promises high stakes, with the champion team set to take home an impressive prize of GYD $1 million.
The runners-up will receive $500,000, while the third and fourth-place teams will pocket $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.
In addition to team prizes, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be rewarded with a brand-new motorcycle, generously provided by Cevon’s Waste Management.
This year’s tournament will see 20 teams competing in a thrilling round-robin format. The preliminary matches will take place on October 26, November 1, 2, 8, and 9.
The quarterfinals are slated for November 13, followed by the semifinals on November 16, and the grand final on November 23, where the top teams will battle for the championship.
As part of the tournament rules, each team is allowed to field one guest player from outside of Linden, ensuring a focus on local talent and community engagement, which are core values of the event.
To assist with their preparations, each participating team will receive a cash incentive of GYD $20,000 after the march-past ceremony.
The Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), supported by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), has sent coach Kalyca Fraser to the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) at the University of Delaware.
This programme aims to develop national-level coaches in various areas, including sport science, talent identification, athlete development, coaching education, and coaching management.
Fraser’s participation is part of the GOA’s strategy to maximize the benefits of Olympic Solidarity grants and enhance the development of coaching expertise in Guyana.
Fraser’s training involves working closely with experienced lecturers and coaches at the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Center.
She is gaining valuable insights into coaching methodologies, strength and conditioning, leadership, and mental performance.
Upon her return, Fraser is expected to apply her newly acquired knowledge and skills to elevate the level of tennis coaching in Guyana.
The GTA aims to use this opportunity to strengthen its coaching programs and support the development of young tennis players.
This initiative reflects the GOA’s commitment to investing in the future of Guyanese sports and ensuring that athletes have access to world-class training and development opportunities.
Spending on the water sector this year alone is double what the former APNU/AFC Coalition spent for their entire five-year term, General Secretary of the ruling PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said Thursday.
Total allocations in the water sector from 2015 to 2020, that is, the years of Coalition governance, amounted to $10.8 billion. Comparatively, Jagdeo said the PPP/C government allocated $21 billion in the sector in 2024 alone.
Pushing back against comments that the PPP/C government can increase its spending because of the inflows of oil revenues, Jagdeo reminded reporters that only about 30 per cent of the 20024 National Budget is funded by oil money.
He, however, posited that the PPP/C is better at managing the economy.
Jagdeo, who also serves as the country’s Vice President, said thousands of people are benefitting from the investments now.
He noted that capital expenditures for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) increased massively since the party has been back in government.
“So, in one year, we are investing in GWI, twice as much as APNU invested…,” Jagdeo said at his weekly press conference.
Further disaggregating the expenditures, he pointed out that $2.1 billion was invested by the coalition government to improve the water supply on the coast. This year, he said, spending on improving the coastal water supply is more than $14 billion.
Similar increased investments were made to improve water supply in the hinterland.
The huge allocations in the water sector are for the construction of new water plants (14 new ones will be constructed, with 12 contracts already awarded), Jagdeo said. And he noted that an additional 181,000 people will benefit from treated water in Guyana.
Other water plants are being rehabilitated while iron removal plants are being constructed in several villages across the coast, so more people will get a better quality of water.
In an operation on Thursday, officers from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) apprehended two Brazilian nationals during a routine patrol in the township of Lethem, Region Nine.
The incident occurred around 12:45 hrs in front of the Takatu Hotel.
Acting on reliable information, the officers intercepted a white vehicle bearing Brazilian number plates (QUM 2E64) parked outside the hotel.
Inside the vehicle, they found 36-year-old Paulo Cezar Buckley Da Silva, a laborer from Boa Vista, Brazil, in the driver’s seat, while 23-year-old Lorissa Soares Garcia Rodrigues, a hairdresser also from Boa Vista, was seated in the back.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the officers identified themselves and informed the occupants of suspicions regarding illegal items.
While Paulo refrained from responding, both he and Lorissa exited the vehicle to facilitate a search. No illegal items were found on Paulo, but a subsequent search of the vehicle yielded troubling discoveries: a black .38 Special revolver without ammunition was located under the driver’s seat, and a green suspected rifle was found beneath the back passenger seat.
When questioned about firearm licenses, both suspects indicated they did not possess any. They were promptly arrested and taken to the Lethem Police Station for further questioning.
A female officer conducted a search of Lorissa, which revealed no illegal items.
During the questioning, conducted with the assistance of a police translator, Paulo claimed he had brought the firearms from Brazil with the intention of selling them in Lethem.
The firearms were photographed, marked, and sealed as evidence, and the vehicle was also secured.
The two suspects remain in custody as investigations continue into the origins and intended use of the firearms.
In a ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of the United Nations, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of Guyana, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.
Reflecting on the organization’s origins in the aftermath of World War II, Phillips emphasized the UN’s ongoing mission to prevent future conflicts and foster international cooperation.
“The UN arose from the ashes of war, driven by the determination of nations to ‘save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,’” Phillips noted in his remarks at the event held at Parc Rayne.
He highlighted Guyana’s dedication to the UN’s core pillars: international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and the rule of international law.
Phillips celebrated the UN’s significant role in the decolonization process, which paved the way for many nations, including Guyana, to achieve independence and join the global community.
He underscored the UN’s unmatched convening power in addressing global issues, especially during events like the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week.
“Multilateralism is crucial in our fight against global challenges,” he stated, urging nations to prioritize cooperation over division.
He welcomed the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future, a commitment among nations to work together for a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
Adding to the night’s sentiments, Ms. Jean Njeri Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator to Guyana, emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between the UN and Guyana.
“Our UN Country Team includes 17 agencies dedicated to supporting the country’s development, implementing programs valued at $17 million last year,” Kamau explained.
Ms. Jean Njeri Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator to Guyana
“We bring transparent, trusted support to ensure that development remains inclusive and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Kamau also highlighted Guyana’s role in the upcoming global biodiversity and climate summits.
“Guyana’s leadership in convening the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit next year is a welcome initiative,” she said.
“As the world faces urgent climate challenges, we look to all nations, including Guyana, to set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions.”
Kamau further detailed ongoing projects focused on job creation, equality, early childhood development, and health initiatives.
“We are committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including those facing joblessness and displacement,” she added, reinforcing the UN’s dedication to leaving no one behind.
As Guyana takes its seat for the third time as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Phillips outlined the country’s priorities: addressing climate change, food insecurity, peacebuilding, and the protection of vulnerable groups such as children and women in conflict.
Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of Guyana shakes hand with News Room’s Journalist Kurt Campbell
On this significant day, Phillips also called for an end to ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, and Haiti. He reiterated the need for a renewed commitment to human rights and international law, underscoring the importance of the UN’s mission in promoting global stability.
In concluding his remarks, Phillips paid tribute to the dedication of UN staff worldwide, acknowledging their vital contributions to peace and development.
The BetCageSports National T20 League, a highly anticipated cricket tournament organised by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), is scheduled to commence on Saturday, October 26.
This league represents a significant development in Guyana’s cricketing landscape, offering a competitive platform for local talent to shine.
With the backing of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the league aims to entertain and enhance the nation’s overall cricketing structure.
The league will feature six franchises, each comprising 15 players, along with a dedicated manager and coach.
In total, this initiative will provide 90 players with the invaluable opportunity to showcase their skills on a prominent stage.
The franchises’ selection process was meticulous. It involved creating a player pool from which team captains and the Chairman of the Selection panel conducted a draft.
This careful selection aims to ensure that the teams are well-balanced and competitive.
One of the league’s standout features is its substantial prize incentive.
The first-place team will receive a prize exceeding G$1M.
This financial reward reflects the league’s commitment to promoting cricket in Guyana and is expected to motivate players to perform at their best.
The sponsorship from BetCageSports amounts to US$100,000, demonstrating a robust partnership that underscores the importance of corporate involvement in sports development.
Additionally, President Ali’s commitment to donating the prize money and trophies highlights the government’s support for cricket and its athletes.
GCB President Bissoondyal Singh articulated the broader vision behind the league, stating that it transcends being merely a cricket tournament.
He emphasised that the league serves as a vital platform for identifying and nurturing future cricketing talents, thereby contributing to the expansion of the national cricket development structure.
This focus on talent identification is crucial for the long-term growth of the sport in Guyana, as it aims to create a pipeline of skilled players who can compete at higher levels.
Regional Business Operations Manager at BetCageSports, Dwayne Dodson, shared his perspective as a former club cricketer, shedding light on the challenges faced by local cricketers.
He noted that many talented players often find themselves at a crossroads, having to choose between pursuing cricket and maintaining a stable job.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., addressing the launch
The introduction of match fees in this league is designed to alleviate some of these pressures, allowing players to earn while playing the sport they are passionate about.
This financial incentive is expected to attract more players to participate actively in cricket.
The Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., encouraged the players further by urging them to leverage this opportunity to stake their claim for national representation.
As the Minister outlines, the ultimate goal is to prepare and position players to compete in the Cricket West Indies T20 tournament, with the ambition of representing Guyana at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
These comments emphasise the significance of cricket as not only a sport but also a potential avenue for international recognition and opportunities.
In terms of logistics, the league will feature matches primarily at the La Bonne Intention Cricket Ground on the East Coast of Demerara,
Other venues include Berbice and Essequibo, which will also host some matches.
The inaugural round of matches promises to be thrilling. The first match at 14:00h, pits the Essequibo Jaguars against the Demerara Hawks.
This will be followed by a clash between the Demerara Pit Bulls and Berbice Caimans at 19:00h.
The excitement continues on Sunday, with the Berbice Piranhas taking on the Essequibo Anacondas at 14:00h and the Essequibo Jaguars facing the Berbice Caimans later that evening at 19:00h.
Dressed in his uniform and sporting a calm demeanor, Brutus appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court just after 13:00 hrs and was immediately ushered into the courtroom of Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith Mc Gusty.
He was accompanied by a battery of lawyers.
Brutus being ushered into Court.
After two hours in the courtroom, packed with media operatives, a total of 30 charges ranging from misconduct in public office and obtaining money by false pretense to larceny, money laundering and liability of an official were read to Brutus.
He was not required to plead to the charges. Bail was granted in sums ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for the charges.
Altogether, the bail for Brutus amounted to $6.2 million.
The charges against Brutus reveal a disturbing pattern of alleged corruption during his tenure from December 2023 to July 2024, a period when he oversaw the GPF’s administration.
At times she appeared nervous and the prosecution’s sternness was reduced when her condition was taken into consideration
Aulder was charged separately with two money laundering charges amounting to a total sum of $473 million.
The details of these charges allege that between December 2023 and July 2024, she acquired and placed $293 million in a Republic Bank account belonging to one of two businesses in her name.
These monies are believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Separately, and during the same period, she allegedly acquired another $180 million, placing it into the second business account at Republic Bank.
She was granted bail in the sum of $500, 000 on each charge; a total of $1 million. Bail was granted on the condition that she lodges her passport with the Court.
THE DRIVER AND BUSINESSMAN’S INVOLVEMENT
Brutus is followed by His driver Kevin George in black and white.
The first two charges to be read in Court on Thursday were joint charges related to conspiracy by obtaining money by false pretense for Brutus; his driver, Sergeant Kevin George and businessman, Asif Zafarally.
George, 31, is said to have 13 years of service in the GPF and has two children, while Zafarally is 34 years old and a businessman owning an automotive and sales logistics company on the East Bank of Demerara.
They are accused of acting in conspiracy with Brutus back in June and July 2024 by uplifting cheques from the GPF Consumers Cooperative Societies Limited for goods that were never supplied.
They uplifted in the first instance $71 million and then $22 million.
After pleadings from the prosecution for bail to be set to a significant sum, they were granted their pre-trial liberty in the sum of $500, 000 for each charge.
Zafarally faced two similar charges on his own which were transferred to the East Bank Magisterial District to be recalled.
Businessman, Asif Zafarally.
THE DEPTH OF BRUTUS ALLEGED CORRUPTION
The scale of the alleged corruption involving Brutus is staggering.
So in addition to the 30 charges read to Brutus in court on Thursday, roughly 200 more charges are still to be read to him at a later date.
In addition to the conspiracy charges he faced jointly with his driver and the businessman, Brutus faced 28 charges on his own.
MISCONDUCT IN PUBLIC OFFICE
Brutus was slapped with four misconduct in public office charges.
The court heard that he issued two cheques – for $6 million and $7 million respectively – from the Guyana Police Central Welfare Fund to himself.
He is also accused of instructing Women Superintendent Inspector Collins from the Police Consumers Coop Society to prepare cheques in his name for $60 million.
This was reportedly for repairs and maintenance of the coop society’s building but the monies were never used or intended for that purpose.
Additionally, Brutus allegedly instructed Collins to prepare a check for $20 million. This money was intended to buy shoes/boots and navy drills for the quartermaster stores but these items were never purchased or delivered.
Instead, Brutus deposited the money in his bank accounts.
Fourthly, he is accused of instructing another police officer to submit 221 payment vouchers which were paid to his wife and never returned.
On these four charges, Brutus secured bailed at $300, 000 each.
Attorney Allicock is representing Brutus.
LIABILITY OF AN OFFICIAL
For these same 221 payment vouchers, Brutus is facing liability of an official charges but only 20 of those charges were read in court on Thursday.
The court heard that on December 30, 2023 Brutus handed these vouchers to his wife and created the opportunity for her, through her registered businesses, to defraud the state.
These vouchers were all written in sums ranging from $100, 000 to $200, 000.
On these 20 charges, Brutus secured bail in the sum of $100, 000 each – amounting to a total of $2 million.
The prosecutor told the court that while the accused have been cooperating during the investigation, Brutus has never made himself available for questioning.
He further noted that this is the first time that a liability of an official charge is being laid in court by SOCU.
MONEY LAUNDERING
Brutus also faced two charges related to money laundering.
In the first instance, the Court heard that he paid $85 million for a property at 5th Street, Albertown in Georgetown – former Frenzy Bar – with monies believed to be from the proceeds of crime.
And on the second charge, the Court heard that Brutus paid $20 million for a property at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. This money is also alleged to be derived directly or indirectly from crime.
For each of these charges, Brutus was placed on bail in the sum of $500, 000.
LARCENY BY PUBLIC OFFICER
Additionally, Brutus was charged with larceny by a public officer for stealing $60 million and $20 million on separate occasions from GPF.
These are believed to be related to the two cheques prepared by Collins and handed over to Brutus.
For these charges, he also secured bail in the sum of $500, 000 for each charge.
And so…
With over 200 charges still to be addressed, the gravity of this case cannot be overstated.
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo clarified that public servants will still get retroactive salary increases.
The government’s one-off $100,000 cash grant, he said, is not a replacement for any salary increases.
“… the retroactive salary increase has nothing to do with the cash grant,” Jagdeo said at a press conference on Thursday.
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government last year gave an across-the-board, retroactive increase of 6.5 per cent for public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional officeholders, as well as government pensioners.
Following negotiations between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the government, teachers this week started receiving their 10 per cent salary increase as part of a multiyear deal.
In 2025, teachers will get an 8% increase and in 2026, a 9% increase.
He added, “The teachers will get their 10% and it will be retroactive. The public servants will get their pay and it will all be retroactive to January.”
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, President Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore held a high-level discussion, underscoring the rapidly growing partnership between the two countries. The meeting focused on four key areas that highlight the shared priorities and leadership of both nations in economic development and global sustainability.
1. Carbon Markets
Both Guyana and Singapore are recognized as world leaders in carbon markets, and the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further collaboration in this field. They discussed ways to advance international frameworks for carbon trading and highlighted the potential for greater cooperation between the two countries as models for balancing economic development with environmental stewardship.
2. Low Carbon Development
President Ali and Prime Minister Wong explored opportunities for cooperation in low-carbon development, a major theme of Guyana’s engagement at CHOGM. Sustainable urban development was a particular focus, with both leaders exchanging insights on integrating green technologies and urban planning to create environmentally friendly, resilient cities.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore
3. Biodiversity
President Ali updated Prime Minister Wong on Guyana’s ambitious plans to lead the establishment of a Global Biodiversity Alliance. The initiative aims to unite countries and organizations in a shared commitment to preserving biodiversity, recognizing its critical role in maintaining ecological balance and addressing climate change.
4. Private Sector Development
Guyana and Singapore are already collaborating in the oil and gas sector, with Guyana’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels being manufactured in Singapore and involving many Singaporean companies in the supply chain. The leaders discussed ways to expand this collaboration into other sectors and explored how Singapore might use Guyana as a base for broader regional expansion, including into CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States).
This meeting underscores the strong ties between Guyana and Singapore, with both countries positioned as global leaders in economic development and environmental sustainability. The leaders expressed their enthusiasm for building on these discussions to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote a shared vision for sustainable growth and development
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Ms. Jean Njeri Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator to Guyana Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of Guyana shakes hand with News Room’s Journalist Kurt Campbell </p>
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Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., addressing the launch
