An officer at the Charity Police Station said that that there has been no trace of the girls missing one week today, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be an asset in helping to locate them if they are indeed in Venezuela.

Chelesea Jagdeo, 14, of Hampton Court; Mariel Williams, 17, of Queenstown; and Malinie Naipaul, 14, of Better Hope, all Essequibo villages, were reportedly seen heading for Venezuela in the company of acquaintances from the Lower Pomeroon.

The girls left their Anna Regina Multilateral School on Monday morning before the end of the day’s first session and were last seen at the Charity waterfront, some 15 miles north of the institution.

Chelesea is of East Indian descent, about five feet, six inches tall, medium-built, has long black hair and fair complexion.

Mariel is of mixed race, about five feet, seven inches tall, medium built, has long black hair and fair complexion.

Malinie is of East Indian descent, about five feet, five inches tall, thin, has long black hair and light brown complexion.

Police said the girls were seen on board a speedboat Charity at around 18:00hrs on Monday and “reportedly left for Venezuela by boat on Tuesday in (the) company (of) acquaintances from the Lower Pomeroon.”

Charity Police said ranks had been sent down the Pomeroon River to search and all Police Stations across the country have been alerted of the disappearance.

A boat with some members of the DaSilva family from the Lower Pomeroon who are assisting with the search left the Pomeroon Friday night for Venezuela, reports said.

The Chronicle understands the mothers of two of the missing girls, Mrs. Cameela Jagdeo and Mrs. Norma Williams, were scheduled to travel with the DaSilva family to Venezuela Saturday morning but were disappointed when they arrived at 07:00 hrs for the trip and were told the boat had already left.

Reports said a male member of the DaSilva family gave the three schoolgirls a ride in his boat at Charity on Monday.

The two mothers and a 17-year-old brother of Malinie’s were still waiting at Charity for transportation to Venezuela up to late Saturday.

It is understood that Malinie's mother is currently living in Georgetown. Neighbours told the Chronicle that Malinie and her brother, Freddie Naipaul, who is a rice farmer, lived with their father, Mr. Chunni Naipaul, at Better Hope.

Neighbours said the mother left the home some three weeks ago because of domestic problems. No one was at the Better Hope home on Saturday when the Chronicle visited.

Chelesea lived with her grandmother, Mrs. Susheila Jagdeo, who has been asked to report to the Anna Regina Police Station today.

The woman said she is very worried about her granddaughter and has been unable to sleep and eat since the girls disappeared last week Monday.

Chelesea's mother, Cameela, said she visited the school that morning to check on her daughter's academic performance and while leaving the compound around 10:00 hrs, saw Chelesea, Mariel and Malinie, also on their way out.

The mother said she asked her daughter where she was going and was told that they were going to collect some "things" at Hampton Court, about four miles north of the school.

The girl said they needed the "things" to use at a modelling show scheduled for this weekend at the school.