Opposition MP Duncan arrested for flying unlicenced drone – Walrond

What this source establishes

Demerara Waves reports that APNU parliamentarian Sherod Duncan was arrested on 21 July for allegedly flying a drone without authorisation near the MV Barima disaster area, according to Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond. He was taken to Charity Police Station and released later the same day. The head of the Aviation Operators Association urged drone operators to stay clear because aircraft were flying at low altitude for the search operation. Duncan said on Facebook he was showing a small drone to Warrao children when police arrived and told the parliamentarians to leave.

Key claims

• Duncan was arrested Tuesday (21 July) for allegedly flying a drone without permission, according to Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond.
• Walrond: 'He was flying, I understand, a drone without authorisation. Those drones cannot be flown without a proper licence and he didn't have that.'
• Duncan was taken to the Charity Police Station and released later Tuesday; Walrond did not know whether cash bail or self-bail was required.
• Captain Learie Barclay urged drone operators to desist from operating in the area because aircraft are flying at low altitude to assist the search, rescue and recovery operation.
• Duncan reported on his Credible Sources Facebook page that he was interacting with Warrao children and showing them a small drone when police arrived and instructed the parliamentarians to leave.
• If charged and convicted, his drone could be seized for a specified time and he could be fined.
• This arrest is the reason APNU MP Dr Terrence Campbell gave for being unable to reach the wreck site during recovery operations.

Quotations

• “He was flying, I understand, a drone without authorisation. Those drones cannot be flown without a proper licence and he didn't have that.”— Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Home Affairs

Actors named

• Sherod Duncan, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, arrested
• Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Home Affairs
• Captain Learie Barclay, Head of the Aviation Operators Association of Guyana
• Charity Police Station, where Duncan was taken
• Warrao children, whom Duncan says he was interacting with

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