The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has charged two brothers, Balkhrisn Ramdass, known as Johnny Ramdass and Chandradat Ramdass known as Sulkar, with intent to defraud the state of duties and for being concerned in evasion of duties on chicken worth $2.3 million.
The GRA is contending that the two men stored a quantity of uncustomed frozen imported chicken at the premises of Best All Season Storage, Ruimveldt. According to the GRA, Customs enforcement officers had carried out a lawful search of the storage premises and discovered the chicken on January 29, 2007.
Gino Persaud, attorney-at-law is appearing for the prosecution which commenced its case on January 25, and continued on January 28 before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court while Roysdale Forde is appearing for the defence.
The two brothers have been slapped with two charges each: dealing with goods with intent to defraud the GRA of duties and being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of import duties of customs contrary to the Customs Act.
The GRA said the prosecution led its first witness, Customs enforcement officer, Alvin Howard who testified that he led a team of officers to Best All Season Storage to conduct a lawful search and discovered the smuggled chicken.
The officer said Chandradat Ramdass turned up subsequently claiming ownership of the chicken and presented a set of documents, claiming that the chicken legally came through a wharf.
“However, after examining the documents and reconciling them with an examination of the physical chicken he concluded that they did not match and the chicken was seized,” the GRA said.
Forde objected to the documents being tendered as evidence and after listening to arguments from both sides the magistrate reserved his decision on whether the documents are admissible.
The case has been adjourned to February 13, for continuation.
The GRA said that it would continue its efforts to fight the illegal entry of goods into the country as it seeks to fully execute its functions provided for in the laws of Guyana and to promote fairness and transparency in its dealings.