Several prosecuted for smuggling: April 27, 2007
Today, the charges brought by the GRA against eight persons allegedly involved in smuggling a large amount of assorted liquor into the country on February 14, 2007 were called for the first time at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

Mr. Gino Peter Persaud, Attorney-at-Law, appeared for the Prosecution and objected to bail for Joseph Sahadeo aka “Daddo”, one of the accused. Mr. Persaud objected strenuously to bail on the ground that Sahadeo had initiated inappropriate contact with potential witnesses for the Prosecution by attempting to influence them not to give evidence against him in court.

Mr. Persaud argued that this constituted an attempt to pervert the course of justice and as such he should be remanded to prison since if he was released on bail there was a real likelihood he would continue to tamper with witnesses and influence the trial.

Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan for Sahadeo opposed the application and argued for bail on the ground that Sahadeo had never contacted any such potential witness and in any event he had spoken to him and Sahadeo promised faithfully not to contact anyone associated with the case. The magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded Sahadeo to prison.

Sahadeo is also charged separately with hiring someone to assist in the evasion of the Customs Law.  That matter was supposed to have been heard at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle but could not go on since the case jacket could not be found. It was later located by the Clerk of Court and has since been re-fixed for Monday April 30 before Magistrate Robertson.   

The Prosecution applied for bail to be set in the sum of one million dollars for another accused Mark Chandra but after representation by Mr. K. Juman Yassin on his behalf, was placed on $500,000 bail. Shawn Alli and Madhu who were unrepresented were each placed on $200,000 bail.

Meanwhile, arrest warrants have been issued for Krishnadath Ramdin aka Krishna and Pokeman, Umbar Angad, Delroy Neil Samaroo and Vinod Bhagwandin also known as Ajai.

The quartet was all served with summonses but did not appear in court to answer the charges levelled against them. They are all facing charges of fraudulent evasion of import duties and dealing in goods with intent to defraud.      

The matter has been adjourned to June 04, 2007.

The $70M bust, considered to be the biggest in the history of Customs was made on February 14 last, Valentine’s Day.  It involved the seizure of MV Lady Kimberly, a modified fibre-glass trawler, a 14 feet aluminum boat equipped with a 15 hp engine, three enclosed canter trucks (GGG 9426, registered to G. Stephens, GJJ 6259 and GJJ 5232) a minibus and a car.

 More than 4, 000 cases of Heineken, 500 cases of assorted liquor, such as Grey Goose, Bailey’s, Tequila, Hennessey, Absolute Vodka (assorted), Black Label Whisky, Johnny Walker Whisky, and more than 300 cases of Red Bull were among the seized items, which were believed to be for ‘high-ranking’ businessmen and shipped from St Maarten. 

According to Customs Enforcement Officials, following intelligence that there was a vessel containing smuggled goods moored at Rambarran’s wharf, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, Customs officers began an operation to locate the vessel in the early morning hours of February 14.    

Upon arrival of the Officers, however, the vessel had already discharged some of the goods and made off in a bid to escape the Enforcement officers.  However, the Enforcement team pursued the vessel and intercepted it while it was in hiding behind an island South of the Demerara River.

Following the apprehension of the vessel and the arrest of its crew, Captain Umbar Angad, and Delroy Samaroo, Shawn Ali and Madhu, the vessel was taken to the John Fernandes Limited (JFL) wharf, where it was completely discharged in the presence of the Captain and crew. The Captain signed A Notice of Seizure which was issued for the items on board, acknowledging that the amount was correct.

A search in the Land of Canaan area led to the discovery of the minibus and car which were linked to the illegal shipment. 

This is part of the GRA’s enforcement activities to ensure that there is maximum compliance with the tax laws. The GRA will vigorously continue to pursue illegal activities, including smuggling.