US revokes Crime Chief's visa

Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief Henry Greene became the second high ranking police officer to have his visa revoked by the United States Embassy in Guyana .

The revocation became known yesterday when the various international carriers operating out of Guyana received notification informing them that they should not sell airline tickets for travel to the United States to the Deputy Commissioner.

The United States routinely penalises any airline that offers a ticket to an individual who does not have a visa. The penalty ranges from the cost of the return ticket of the illegal passenger to a huge fine.

Two years ago, Acting Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald became the first top ranking police officer to run foul of the Americans and have his visa revoked. His visa revocation followed closely on the heels of the revocation of the visa that had been granted to former Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj. Greene had recently ordered an investigation into the origin of a recording of a conversation that purports to be between Police Commissioner Winston Felix and Attorney-at-Law Basil Williams.

Greene has questioned a number of people, some of them named by others, who aired or had knowledge of the recording.

The US Embassy has a policy of not confirming or denying reports of decisions that it takes in relation to people. It however informs the affected people of its decision. In Greene's case it was no different.

Greene was not available for comment yesterday, neither was Police Commissioner, Winston Felix.