U.S. citizens among three charged with attempt to smuggle gold
Two United States citizens were among the three persons charged on Thursday in connection with an alleged attempt to export gold through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) without a licence.
The accused, Ian Jacobis, 44, of Lot 749 Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Shameena Ahamad, 52, and Ashiana Salamaly, 34, both of 38 Roraima Scheme, were hauled before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Diamond Magistrates’ Court.
The trio pleaded not guilty to the joint charge and were released on $600,000 bail each. Jacobis was ordered to lodge his passport with the Court and report to the Clerk every first Friday of the month.
Shameena and Ashiana were instructed to report to the Clerk every Friday, pending the outcome of the matter. The three individuals were arrested on Monday with US$560,000 in gold as they attempted to leave Guyana on an American Airlines flight bound for New York.
In a statement, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had said that customs officers with the support of officers attached to the Natural Resources Ministry and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), unearthed 240 ounces of pure gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery.
The gold was confiscated after the three passengers could not produce the required permit and declaration to customs officials.
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