A miner was shot dead while two others are seriously injured and woman kidnapped when gunmen ambushed them along a trail at Five Star Backdam, North West District (NWD) early Tuesday morning. Two persons have since been arrested.
Dead is Cleveland Smithet, 37, of Ideal Road, Kuru Kuru, East Bank Demerara (EBD); the injured are Cleveland’s brother, Trevor, 41, also of Kuru Kuru and Lloyd David, reportedly from Matthews Ridge.
Guyana Times International understands that the men, in the company of a female who is yet to be identified, were on their way out of the backdam on ATVs at approximately 7: 30h when the incident occurred. According to relatives, the Smithets were on their way to Georgetown to spend Christmas with their family. The men were said to be robbed of more than one pound of gold worth in excess of Gy$5 million.
Cleveland was shot to his head and died on the spot, while his older brother was shot to the back of his head and his feet, rendering him unconscious; he was transported to the Port Kaituma Hospital. David was also reportedly shot to his feet.
Injured: Cleveland Smithet
The unidentified female, who reportedly hails from Georgetown but visited the North West District location in search of work, was stripped and reportedly kidnapped by the armed men.
The Smithets’ sister, Cassie Lewis, told this newspaper that she was informed that her brothers were stopped along the trail as they came out of the backdam by armed men. Lewis said she last saw her brothers approximately three months ago when they left for the interior. She noted that Trevor has been working in the hinterland region for approximately 10 years, while Cleveland only went into the mining district just over two months ago.
The distraught woman said her brothers had never been robbed before. The men work as independent miners.
Lewis added that Trevor has two children, aged 15 and 13, while Cleveland has no children.
This newspaper understands that police were on their way to the interior location.
In an invited comment, Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding told this publication that the GGDMA is saddened by the news. When contacted, he was unaware of the incident. He, however, said the association will assist the bereaved in whatever way possible.
He condemned the crime, noting that the rise in the price for gold has caused a spike in criminal activities in the hinterland. An ounce of gold is being sold at US$1630.90.
Harding said he is worried that the law enforcement agencies have not yet been able to control the surge in crime in mining communities across the country.
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