Army chopper, airplane to help combat piracy

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Bell 412 helicopter and a Cessna aircraft that was abandoned several years ago by drug dealers in the interior will be refurbished to help provide air surveillance as government takes steps to beef up its fight against rampant sea piracy.

This announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon at a post-cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President on yesterday. Dr Luncheon disclosed that air and sea surveillance will be heightened in a systematic and continuous manner to remedy the deteriorating piracy situation. He explained that the GDF Air Corps recapitalisation that has failed to perform as expected by the administration will be revitalised.
“With renewed focus on completion of the recapitalisation, the re-entry into serviceability of the BEL 412 helicopter and entry and serviceability of the Cessna aircraft that was abandoned at Kwapau a number of years ago. That indeed both land and air surveillance could become a fix part of the air course mandate,” Luncheon added.
The GDF in 2007 had asked for permission to use the single-engine Cessna aircraft which it seized after drug dealers abandoned it at Kwapau, Middle Mazaruni back in 2005. The YV-265 7P aircraft, which still carries a Venezuelan flag on its tail, is parked at the GDF Air Corps hangar at Timehri. The aircraft found at the interior airstrip had among its features, a special drop door, as well as on-board fuel tanks to facilitate long-range flights, an indication that it may have been used in some illegal activity, including the trafficking in narcotics or persons.
Additionally, Dr Luncheon noted that the routine maritime patrols that exist will be complemented by vessels that will be acquired by the GDF and the Guyana Police Force, in an effort to enhance the system. The head of the presidential secretariat posited that the entire situation being faced by fishermen begs for relief and more inputs from law enforcers.