Brazilian miner arrested after aircraft lands at illegal airstrip in Rupununi

A 48-year-old Brazilian national was apprehended on Sunday after an illegal aircraft landed at an airstrip in Bashaizon Village, South Rupununi in Region Nine.

The arrest followed a coordinated operation between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), acting on information about suspicious aircraft activity.

The incident unfolded at approximately 10:55h when the Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Raphael Rose, and his team visited the scene following reports of an aircraft attempting to land on an illegal airstrip.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said the team, which included Inspector Alfred, Detective Sergeant De Jonge, and Sergeant Joseph, was supported by members of CANU.

They immediately dispatched a team of officers led by Sergeant Joseph from the Aishalton Police Station to monitor the suspected location.

Some of the items seized [Photo: Guyana Police Force]

Upon arrival, officers discovered a black, gold, and white Islander aircraft with registration number PU-MBN parked on the airstrip, along with a dark-coloured, fully tinted pickup truck.

As the officers approached, two men were seen exiting the aircraft and boarding the pickup. The vehicle quickly sped off, but in the process, one of the men fell from the truck as it collided with the plane, damaging the right wing and front propeller.

The individual who fell from the vehicle was identified as Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, a Brazilian gold miner from Boa Vista.

Despite attempts to stop the fleeing pickup by discharging two rounds, the vehicle crossed the Takutu River into Brazil, eluding capture.

Saraiva was taken into custody and informed of the offences. A search of his person revealed no illegal items.

The Police said that during interrogation, he identified the pilot who fled as ‘Wallefi Kayck’ and explained that he had chartered the aircraft from a Brazilian company to purchase mercury for his mining operations in Brazil.

He admitted that they had flown from Brazil to Venezuela and then entered Guyana on Sunday.

A search of the aircraft yielded several electronic devices, including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and two Garmin GPS units. A motorcycle, hidden near the airstrip, was also found.

To this end, regional law enforcement officials are continuing their probe.