Assigned since 2019 to the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (AGIGN) Antenna in Guyana, Captain Sébastien has risen through the ranks to take charge of this elite unit in the summer of 2023.
Through his journey and that of AGIGN, this is an overview of the specific issues facing this region, reports GendInfos.
A course of excellence in the service of specialized intervention
Captain Sébastien is no stranger to the gendarmerie’s intervention units. His adventure began in 1995 at the Gendarmerie Surveillance and Intervention Platoon (PSIG), before continuing his ascent. After his training at the Châtellerault gendarmerie school, he joined the Mobile Gendarmerie Squadron (EGM) in Annecy, where he specialized in intervention, becoming a Professional Intervention Instructor (MIP) and an Operational Crossing Instructor (MFO). This journey then took him to Réunion within the Intervention Platoon Group (GPI), before joining Guyana in 2019.
Since his arrival, the captain has immersed himself in the local reality, quickly becoming a key element of the unit. A forest officer and deputy commander of AGIGN at its beginnings, he took over the reins in 2023. His solid experience in delicate interventions in mainland France and overseas makes him particularly suited to lead a unit engaged in terrain as complex as that of Guyana.
An elite unit at the heart of Guyanese security issues
The AGIGN of Guyana, with its 47 members, stands out for its versatility and its ability to intervene in high-risk situations, whether in urban areas or in the jungle. In 2023, the region was marked by high crime, with 59 homicides and more than 650 armed robberies, the majority of which were by firearm. The unit participated in 87 judicial police missions, arresting 66 individuals, and carried out 70 missions in the forest.
This elite unit is confronted daily with situations where danger is omnipresent. “We have been under fire three times this year, during forestry missions or arrests,” confides Captain Sébastien. The division of missions between the fight against urban delinquency and illegal gold panning in the forest is a real organizational challenge.
A structured and efficient organization
The unit is organized into two sections of 18 soldiers, working alternately. While one ensures operational permanence on the coast, the other is deployed in the forest for missions against illegal gold mining, one of the priorities of AGIGN in Guyana. This division makes it possible to respond effectively to the various operational needs of the region.
Each member of AGIGN is highly qualified, with specific training in forestry missions and mastery of logistics canoe interception techniques, essential for combating trafficking on the Maroni River and in the dense jungle.
Multiple and specialized missions
The AGIGN of Guyana shares the traditional missions of the GIGN branches in mainland France, but also adapts to local specificities. The fight against illegal gold mining, a scourge in Guyana, mobilizes a large part of the workforce. From helicopter drops in the jungle to infiltration actions in the forest, the AGIGN is on the front line to dismantle clandestine networks.
The unit also participates in security operations during launches at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) and in the protection of the sensitive site, while maintaining its presence in the risk areas of the jungle.
Towards strengthened cooperation in South America
The strategic location of French Guiana in the heart of South America is pushing AGIGN to strengthen its international cooperation, particularly with the Brazilian and Surinamese police. Joint training with Brazilian elite units such as the Bope is planned, while Captain Sébastien was able to benefit from training in Colombia to perfect his skills in comparable environments.
The Future of a Leader in Specialized Intervention
While his secondment at the head of the AGIGN of Guyana was due to end in 2024, Captain Sébastien requested a one-year extension. Passionate about specialized intervention, he plans to continue his career within the AGIGN, ideally overseas, where the challenges are as complex as they are stimulating.
This portrait highlights not only Captain Sébastien’s impressive career, but also the daily challenges faced by the AGIGN of Guyana. Between perilous forestry missions and urban interventions, the unit stands out for its versatility and total commitment to the security of the territory.
