Dear Editor
Over the last few days, a sensational news story was all over the print and online media about the Divisional Commander, Superintendent King of Region 9 being intercepted by GRA with uncustomed liquor and perfume.
As an itinerant trader of Lethem for the past 10 years where I have observed that cross border trading is robust and any item under the sun can be bought and sold in Lethem, I was surprised that this news story was reported as smuggled items.
Editor there must be a sinister plot against Superintendent King to besmirch his professionalism and character. Since the Commander assumed command of that Division, he has worked tirelessly to engender cordial working relations between the community and the police, even establishing a youth group.
Before the pandemic the porous Lethem /Brazil border was wide open and everything including people crossed the border freely. However, since the pandemic and the necessary closing of the borders, the Commander has sought to enforce the laws which has caused some persons, who felt they were above the law to be upset.
I believe Commander King bought those items in Lethem as he said he did, because that is the norm rather than the exception in Lethem. I did my own research on the Commander and learnt that he has an exemplary record as a training officer for over 12 years and many policemen have looked up to him and credited their career to his guidance from his service in the force in the last 30 years.
Myself and other residents in Lethem will be monitoring the development of this most unusual report because we think it is a ploy to have Commander King removed because of his enforcement of the laws without fear or favour.
Regards
Carla Mendonca
