Two men were each placed on $4.4 million bail on charges of knowingly being concerned in dealing with goods with intent to defraud the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) by Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Joshua Safeek, an investor of 145 Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara and Jimmy Karamat representing Kong Inc., a company located at Lot A Ocean View Drive, Ruimzeight Gardens, West Coast Demerara were both present in court and pleaded not guilty to eleven charges of defrauding the GRA of duties payable on a large quantity of uncustomed Polar beer.
The offences were allegedly committed in the latter months of last year at Broad and Charles streets, Charles-town.
In an application for bail attorney-at-law Hukumchand told the court that his client Safeek had no intention of fleeing the jurisdiction since he has numerous investments here, has an unblemished character and has invested a lot in local sports. Kamini Parag representing Karamat also made an application for bail.
Prosecuting attorney for the GRA, Timothy Jonas told the court that he was not opposing bail but was respectfully requesting that it be set to reflect the sum owed the authority, which is estimated to be in excess of $500 million.
He also stated that Safeek can be considered a flight risk since he is a foreigner and has investments overseas and abundant means to get out of the country if he so desired.
The matter was transferred to Court Six for February 28.
