Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed was released on self-bail after being questioned by police over alleged unauthorised drone activity near the private residence of President Dr Irfaan Ali at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
The Guyana Police Force said it received a report at about 6:30pm on Thursday that persons travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser were operating a drone over the area.
Ranks intercepted motor vehicle PAB 4000 along the Windsor Forest Public Road, West Coast Demerara. The vehicle was occupied by Mohamed, driver Eugene Thorne, 35, and technician Dwayne Ross, 25.
Searches of the occupants and vehicle turned up a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk and four cellular phones. The men, along with the vehicle and items, were taken to the Leonora Police Station.
A separate patrol intercepted motor car PXX 5300, driven by Mario Mohamed, 20. A cellular phone was recovered, and he and the vehicle were also escorted to the station.
During interviews, Mohamed denied owning the drone and claimed it could not be operated within a restricted area, police said. Ross reportedly admitted ownership, saying he had purchased it about a month earlier and that while his drone-operating licence had expired in 2023, he held a certificate.
Thorne said he had travelled to Leonora with Mohamed and Ross to inspect the sea defence, and denied seeing anyone operate a drone or record the president’s residence. Mario Mohamed said he was returning from Parika and had stopped at the Leonora seawall to meet the Opposition Leader, but declined to answer further questions and requested an attorney.
Ranks from Regional Police Divisions 3, 4A and 4B later searched the residences of Ross, Thorne and Mario Mohamed. Another drone was reportedly found at Ross’s home, while nothing incriminating was discovered at Mohamed’s residence.
Investigations are ongoing.
