An Albouystown businessman is seeking an investigation after claiming US$16,000 and G$1.3 million went missing from his apartment during a police search that saw him detained for about 18 hours.

Mohamed Din said the incident occurred recently at the James Street apartment, which he operates as a business with his wife. He said he had stored the foreign currency there after returning from overseas.

Din claimed police were summoned by tenants living on another floor following a dispute with one of them. He alleged that several ranks then entered the property and told him they were investigating a report of a gun and ammunition at his apartment.

He said he asked whether they had a search warrant and was told one was not necessary.

Din claimed he then told the ranks he had a substantial amount of cash in his bedroom and asked that it be accounted for during the search.

“I said no problem searching the place but I have a lot of money and I recently came in from overseas, and foreign currency, I have Guyana currency and if yall guys gon’ search this place please take me in the presence of yall sergeant,” he alleged he told the ranks.

According to Din, the ranks searched the bedroom and other areas of the building before taking him to the police station. He said he repeatedly asked to verify the money before leaving the premises but was not allowed.

“I said I am not leaving and I hold out and I start hollering for meh neighbour them,” he said.

He said he sustained bruises as he was escorted from the building and later complained of feeling unwell. He was taken for medical attention, where he claimed doctors found that his blood pressure was elevated.

Din said he was released after about 18 hours and returned to the apartment, where he allegedly discovered the money was missing. He questioned how anyone could have accessed the bedroom, claiming the door was locked when the ranks left.

The businessman, who alleged his licensed firearm was also taken by police, said he has since reported the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) a week ago but is yet to receive a response.