GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said Tuesday that customs officers had arrested three people, including two United States nationals, after a quantity of gold jewelry was found as they attempted to leave the country on an American Airlines flight bound for New York.
GRA said the 240 ounces of virtually pure gold, disguised as silver-plated jewelry, is valued at more than US$560,000 and transported out of the country without the necessary permits and declaration to Customs.
The operation, which was fully supported by officers of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), led to the arrest of the three passengers, whose identities were not disclosed.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is conducting investigations to determine whether the arrested individuals are part of a larger, reportedly sophisticated, gold smuggling ring operating in Guyana.
The GRA said charges are likely to be made under the Customs and Anti-Money Laundering Acts, and the relevant authorities in Guyana and overseas will be informed of the investigations’ results.
“The Authority continues to note the alarming trend in the efforts to smuggle items including gold, monetary instruments, arms, and narcotics through ports in Guyana and cautions that all such persons dealing in or contemplating engaging in such illegal activities should cease from that place, or face the consequences for their actions.”
The GRA is making a strong appeal to the public to play an active role in combating illicit activities, urging them to report any suspicious or unlawful activities. The authority assures that all information provided will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
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