“Illegal Brazilian miners intercepted in Region 10” - July 22, 2018

SEVERAL Brazilians were arrested by Linden police officers after they were intercepted by regional officials from continuing a purported illegal mining operation, after it was realised that two water draggers were parked in the Upper Demerara River, aback Watooka.
As a result of due diligence from residents and Municipal councillors, the operation was halted and further investigation showed that the miners were not in receipt of any work permit to work in Guyana nor did they have documentation permitting them to operate water draggers in Region 10…The police were subsequently called in and a search was carried out on the Watooka Guest House Annex that they were renting. Two women, who said that they were cooks, were also taken into custody. Commander of ‘E’ Division Anthony Vanderhyden said the police are currently investigating the matter and relevant procedures will be followed…Regional Chairman Renis Morian who was on the scene Saturday morning said that officials, when they first observed the draggers last week, thought that they were water dredges heading up to Coomacka to dredge the river, but further checks revealed that they were water draggers used for gold and diamond mining.