Police wouldn't explain continued detention of Captain and crew member of sunken MV Barima ferry

The Guyana Police Force sought and was granted an extension by the Court to further detain the Captain and a crew member of the ill-fated MV Barima ferry which sank off the Essequibo coast on Saturday night, claiming dozens of lives. The Captain and three of his crew members survived the tragedy. Thirteen other crew members lost their lives. The Captain and one of the crew members were arrested on Sunday following their rescue after medical checks allegedly revealed traces of a narcotic in their system, according to the Government. Since their arrest, they have been questioned about the tragedy and possible causes. With no charges being filed against them within the first three days of their arrest, Police investigators got the Court's permission to further detain the men. But the Police would not explain the basis for the ongoing detention and the possible charges that the men could face. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Khalid Mandall, said a process has to be followed, and he could not say what they are being questioned about specifically or what charges they could face. "I wouldn't be able to say at this point in time, they are being questioned and the matter is being investigated and I would not want to comment further on it", the Asst. Commissioner said. Meanwhile, the Government has also confirmed the arrest of Load Superintendent for the ferry service as part of the ongoing probe. Relatives of the arrested men have complained that no information is being shared with them.