Guyanese fugitive arrested in Queens

…after shootout with US marshals

Newspapers in New York are reporting that it took seven US marshals using combat gear to swoop down on the 175th Street, Queens, New York residence of Guyanese-born Oswald Lewis, at about 23:00hrs on Tuesday night, and ram their way into the man’s apartment, where the marshals were confronted with gunfire from an automatic weapon before they were able to arrest the man.

Lewis has reportedly been living in the United States for most of his life; and according to authorities in that country, he has been engaged in the smuggling of drugs for years.

Persons who spoke to the US press said the Guyanese-born drug lord seemed prepared for the lawmen’s visit. But after coming under fire, the marshals returned fire, forcing Lewis to take evasive measures. Reports are that he was wanted for cocaine smuggling and assault.

The marshals were backed up by ranks from the New York Police Department, and as the man attempted to escape via his backyard, he was confronted by the NYPD ranks, upon whom he also fired. After realizing there was nowhere to run, Lewis retreated into the apartment, abandoning his automatic pistol after he had been shot once to the left hand, the US press reported.

The late night drama saw curious onlookers coming out of their apartments and peering through windows, hoping not to miss any part of the action. Persons were seen standing on the streets across from the man’s apartment with their smart phones and other gadgets, taking pictures and making other recordings of the ordeal.

Lewis, according to the US press as advised by the lawmen, had been on the run for more than ten years. In 1991, he was indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Eyewitnesses related that it was he who had first shot at police and marshals, forcing them to return fire.

The witnesses also reported to the media that Lewis tossed his gun outside the front door of his apartment before walking out with his hands in the air, although he was still wearing his bullet-proof vest and bleeding from the arm.

He later reportedly broke down and cried like a child when arrested and handcuffed by the lawmen.

Eyewitness said that after the first responders had showed up at the man’s house and had come under fire, back-up ranks swarmed the entire block within thirty seconds, causing residents to describe the police response as “incredible”