The arrests in the county of Berbice come in the wake of a foiled attempt by persons to steal two assault rifles and 30 rounds of ammunition from the Army Coast Guard last Friday. Authorities held four soldiers in connection with this matter.

The missing M70 rifle was unearthed at the Coast Guard, and according to the Army, an inspectorate team has since confirmed general compliance with Standing Operational Procedures for security of weapons at Units of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Those arrested in Berbice yesterday are: Mohamed Shahurrudin, also known as "Plantain" of 168 Albert Street, No.79 Village, Corriverton; Salim Bacchus of 138 Line Path D, Corriverton; Brazilian Sireli-Dos; and Suriname national Sookhia Yohen.

Salim Bacchus, at whose home the two foreigners were arrested and military equipment seized, is reported to be the brother of Azad Bacchus, who died in a shootout with the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS) last year.

The four were arrested in a joint Police/Army operation.

The items seized were a VHF Base Station (medium), a VHF Base Station Radio (large), nine hand-held radios, five cellular phones, a night vision goggle, a Silva navigational map plotter, a blank Surinamese passport, a Guyana passport issued to Neil Chasawa, one Netherlands passport issued to Ricardo Doekhi, a Surinamese immigration stamp, one Surinamese Nickeri stamp, one Dale stamp, and eight packs of fire crackers.