Wednesday, January 3, 2007

by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: According to police statistics, the crime rate in Suriname has dropped by 19 percent in 2006. Nationwide 17,317 felonies were committed in comparison to 21,605 crimes in 2005, Chief of Police, Delano Braam, disclosed at the year-end meeting of the Suriname Police Force. He further noted that reported brutal crimes dropped from 2,146 cases to 1,774 incidents in 2006.

Up to the third quarter of 2006, police have successfully investigated and closed 8,533 criminal offences and submitted dossiers to the Office of the Public Prosecutor for prosecution. In total 2,475 suspects were detained in comparison to 2,143 arrests in 2005.

“In the fight against organised crime severe blows have been dealt to criminal organisations; we have succeeded in dismantling eight criminal gangs, five more than the year before,” said police commissioner Braam.

As the most spectacular success, he mentioned the capturing of wanted Guyanese fugitive businessman Shaheed Roger Khan and his three bodyguards and seizure of over 200 kilos of cocaine in June. Khan was subsequently expelled and, en route to his native Guyana, arrested by US drug enforcement officials in Trinidad and Tobago.

However, the number of murders in Suriname has increased. The police chief noted that, of the 23 murders that were committed last year, 20 were solved. In an interview with CMC police spokesman, under-inspector Humphrey Naarden stated that in 2005 ten persons were murdered, while eight of these killings were solved.

In addressing the police force, Commissioner Braam further disclosed that, during the past year, 615 kilos of cocaine, 149 kilos marijuana and 13 kilos hash were confiscated. In relation to drug-related crimes a total of 734 suspects, 607 males and 127 females, were arrested.

Both Commissioner Braam and Justice Minister, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, rejected rumours that the Police Chief will be replaced. “Why change a leadership that is doing a great job? Mr Braam is Chief of Police and he will continue to be chief of the police force,” said the minister.

Santokhi warned that allegations are being circulated by individuals involved in criminal activities whose interest are being harmed by police actions.

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