A Georgetown technician has been charged with three aviation-related offences after the alleged unauthorised drone activity near President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s private residence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Dwayne Ross, 25, of Princess Street, Georgetown, appeared on Monday before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court, where the charges were read to him.
Ross was charged with unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle, contrary to Section 6(e) of the Civil Aviation Act 2018; unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle, contrary to Section 6(d) of the Act; and failure to obtain authorisation to operate an aircraft, contrary to Section 92 of the same Act.
He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Ross was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 on each charge. As part of his bail conditions, he is required to report to police once a month and lodge his passport with the court.
The matters were adjourned to September 30, 2026, for report. The charges stem from a police investigation into alleged unauthorised drone activity near the President’s private residence at Leonora last Thursday.
Police had said they received information at about 18:30hrs that persons travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser were allegedly operating a drone over the area.
Acting on that information, ranks intercepted motor vehicle PAB 4000 along the Windsor Forest Public Road.
Police said the vehicle was occupied by Opposition Leader and businessman Azruddin Mohamed, 39; driver Eugene Thorne, 35 and Ross.
During searches of the occupants and the vehicle, police reportedly found a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk. Police also recovered four cellular phones and escorted the occupants, vehicle, and items to the Leonora Police Station.
At the same time, another police patrol intercepted motor car PXX 5300, driven by 20-year-old Mario Mohamed. Police recovered a cellular phone, and they took him and the vehicle to the Leonora Police Station.
During separate interviews, Azruddin Mohamed denied owning the drone and reportedly claimed that it could not be operated within a restricted area. He was later released on self-bail.
Police said Ross admitted ownership of the drone and claimed he had purchased it about one month earlier. He also reportedly told investigators that his drone operating licence had expired in 2023, but that he possessed a certificate.
Thorne reportedly told police that he travelled to Leonora with Mohamed and Ross to inspect the sea defence. He denied seeing anyone operate the drone or record the President’s residence.
Mario Mohamed reportedly stated that he was returning from Parika when he stopped at the Leonora seawall to meet Azruddin Mohamed. Police said he later declined to answer further questions and requested the presence of an attorney.
Ranks from Regional Police Divisions Three, 4A and 4B later conducted searches at the residences of Ross, Thorne and Mario Mohamed.
Police said another drone was found at Ross’s residence, while nothing incriminating was discovered at Mohamed’s residence.
