The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has warned scrap-metal operators against buying, selling or handling illegally obtained copper, saying it is prepared to cancel licences or shut down the trade altogether, if illegal practices continue.
The warning follows the recent theft of copper cables from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, where cables used to power the bridge’s LED lights were stolen.
In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said it has taken note of the recent incident involving the theft, unlawful purchase and attempted movement of copper, and made it clear that persons identified in connection with the matter were not licensed scrap-metal dealers.
The Ministry said the individual who purchased the copper and is currently on bail is a repeat offender, having been involved in a similar incident earlier this year.
According to the Ministry, he is not a licensed dealer and, where violations are established, offenders must face the full brunt of the law.
The Ministry also issued a direct warning to licensed scrap-metal dealers, saying none will be permitted to facilitate, purchase, sell, receive or otherwise deal in illegally obtained copper.
“Any licensed dealer found engaging in such activities will face immediate cancellation of their licence, in addition to prosecution where applicable,” the Ministry said.
It added that decisive regulatory and enforcement action will be taken to shut down unlawful operations and prevent continued abuse of the scrap-metal trade.
“The destruction of public infrastructure and the theft or unlawful removal of private property will not be tolerated,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry further warned that if illegal practices in the trade continue, it will not hesitate to take the necessary steps to cancel the scrap-metal trade altogether.
The statement comes after 39-year-old vagrant Roy Morgan was sentenced to 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to simple larceny in connection with the theft of copper cables from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge.
Police arrested Morgan on Wednesday as they investigated the theft of the cables. He was reportedly found near the bridge with tools suspected to have been used to cut the cables and later led investigators to a location where pieces of the stolen cables were recovered.
He appeared at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced.
Also before the court was 51-year-old Tuschen businessman Mustaf Pashaw, who was charged with receiving stolen articles after several pieces of the stolen cables were allegedly found at one of his business places.
Pashaw was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He was granted $300,000 bail and is expected to return to court on October 2, 2026.
The Ministry said it remains committed to protecting the integrity of the scrap-metal industry, ensuring compliance with Guyana’s laws and regulatory requirements, and taking action against persons operating outside of the law.
