A Lethem businessman has found himself in some hot water after he was allegedly caught red-handed by Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Guyana Revenue Authority, trying to smuggling liquor into Guyana from Brazil.
That businessman is said to identify as, Lyndon Franklyn, who owns and operates a variety store in the Lethem Area.
According to the reports coming out of the area, Wednesday afternoon, the bust took place at 470 Tabatinja Lethem, at the residence of Lyndon Franklyn.
Just before that according to CANU, Franklyn was seen entering Guyana from Brazil in his lorry. He was followed and was subsequently seen emptying suspected smuggled and undeclared goods in his yard.
GRA and CANU Officials intercepted him and uncovered the smuggled items among other goods packed in his truck.
During the inspection, 30 Cases of Blackstone Whiskey, nine cases of Blend Seven Whiskey, and four cases of Skarloff Liquor were all found, without GRA Seal.
Franklyn is expected to be charged and placed before the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for breaches of the Customs Act.
During the search, Franklyn went to social media claiming that the search was illegal, that they had endangered his family. He attempted to video the faces of CANU in ranks. Franklyn later claimed he was assaulted by the ranks.
Those claims were refuted as CANU maintained that at the time of the incident Franklyn tried to agitate and the matter was dealt with accordingly.
CANU added that when their ranks entered the premises Franklyn’s dogs were released into the yard and advanced towards Ranks which resulted in an officer discharging around to fend off the said threat after repeated requests to Franklyn to secure the animals.
CANU added that it is reviewing the incident to address the need for further training of its Ranks to ensure its Ranks are able to withstand civilian agitation and intimidations.
Additionally, CANU is imploring civilians to desist from advancing toward or attacking its officials in any way whilst they are executing their duties.
