Two key pieces of evidence recovered from the fatal Mobil Gas Station explosion have been dispatched to India for advanced forensic examination, the court was informed on Wednesday.
The update came as four of the primary accused appeared virtually before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Police Prosecutor Mandel Moore outlined that investigators retrieved several items of interest during an intensive search of the blast site and its surroundings.
Among them, two were deemed suitable for specialised analysis and have been sent overseas for testing.
The prosecution requested additional time to await these findings, prompting the court to adjourn the matter to December 16, when disclosures are expected.
Appearing virtually were Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, 33, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the October 26 attack; Alexander Bettencourt, 44; taxi driver Johnny Boodram, 27; and Krystal LaCruz, 33.
Attorney Nigel Hughes represented LaCruz, with other counsel appearing for the remaining defendants.
The four are charged with terrorism in relation to the blast at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, which claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured several others.
Investigators say Poedemo illegally entered Guyana hours before the incident, conducted surveillance at the station, and attempted to conceal an explosive device in a garbage bin before relocating it when questioned by an employee.
CCTV footage and digital material, including images of the device and clothing linked to the suspects, were later seized from a residence in Vergenoegen where Poedemo was arrested.
Bettencourt allegedly accompanied him into the country, while Boodram is accused of transporting some of the suspects during an earlier scouting trip. LaCruz is believed to have assisted in coordinating aspects of the operation.
In a separate but connected matter, defendants Wayne Correia, Ramesh Pramdeo, and Jennifer Rodriguez also appeared recently at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court. Their case is set to resume on December 17.
Correia is accused of arranging transport for LaCruz and another Venezuelan, purportedly paying with cash linked to raw gold valued at more than $600,000.
Rodriguez is alleged to have played a role in managing communications and movements before the explosion.
All seven accused remain before the courts as the high-profile terrorism proceedings advance, with the central case awaiting the return of forensic analyses from India.
The Government of Guyana has indicated that it will seek the death penalty if convictions are secured in the gas station bombing case.
The gas station bombing case has gripped the nation as investigators piece together evidence and the accused await trial on terrorism charges.
