Marked Money and Menace: Police Constable Nabbed in $100,000 License-Selling Sting
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — A major crackdown on corruption within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) reached a boiling point on April 28, 2026, when a sting operation led to the arrest of a serving officer. Police Constable Yohance Bourne was apprehended in Georgetown after allegedly demanding and accepting cash to bypass the legal requirements for obtaining a driver’s license.
The arrest follows a mandate from the Executive to purge the licensing system of “ghost” certificates and unqualified drivers.
The Operation: Norton and Durban Street Takedown
Between 16:45 and 17:00 hrs, a high-stakes collaboration between the Special Branch Headquarters and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) unfolded in the vicinity of Norton and Durban Streets.
- The Intelligence: Investigators had been tracking Bourne following reports that he was facilitating the illegal issuance of licenses for a fee.
- The “Marked” Trap: Police set up a controlled transaction. Bourne reportedly demanded $100,000 to provide a license without the applicant having to sit for the mandatory written or practical examinations.
- The Exchange: Bourne accepted an initial payment of $55,000 in marked bills, along with the applicant’s TIN certificate, ID card, and passport-sized photographs.
The Confrontation and Arrest
The surveillance team, led by an Assistant Superintendent, moved in within seconds of the exchange.
- Irrefutable Evidence: A search of the constable’s person revealed the documents and the cash; the serial numbers on the bills perfectly matched the pre-recorded list held by the OPR.
- Charges: Bourne was arrested and is facing charges of demanding money with menace and engaging in corrupt transactions.
- Processing: The officer was transported to the East La Penitence Police Station, where his mobile device and the evidence were secured before he was handed over to the OPR for further interrogation.
Context: The Audit and the “Cleanup”
This arrest is not an isolated incident but a result of a broader government audit into the licensing system.
- Presidential Intervention: Earlier in April, President Irfaan Ali revealed that an audit had uncovered a staggering number of licenses and practical certificates issued to individuals who had never set foot in an examination center.
- Road Safety Implications: The government has emphasized that the issuance of licenses puts unqualified drivers on the road, contributing to Guyana’s high road fatality rate.
- Systemic Reform: The GPF has pledged that more arrests are likely as they investigate the wider network of ranks and civilians involved in the illicit trade.
Restoring Public Trust
The arrest of Constable Bourne serves as a stark warning to ranks within the force that the “old ways” of doing business are under heavy surveillance. As the Ministry of Home Affairs moves toward a more digitized and transparent licensing process, this operation signals that the government is prepared to arrest its own to restore integrity to the system.
