Three men accused of smuggling gold into Suriname and a fourth man charged with conspiracy in the matter were placed on $5 million bail each in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday but Chief Justice Ian Chang later granted a reduction in bail in the High Court.
Isaac Sarjoo, 30, of 90 Second Street, Alexander Village; Richard Sarjoo, 30, of 81 Second Street, Alexander Village and Roy Arjune, 34, of 267 Success Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara were charged with exporting a quantity of raw gold without paying the necessary royalties. Albert Sarjoo, 54, of 90 Second Street, Alexander Village, was charged with conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour.
It is alleged that on March 3 at Moleson Creek, Corentyne, the three men illegally exported 35 lbs of raw gold to Suriname. It is also alleged that Albert Sarjoo conspired with Arjune to export the raw gold between December 1, 2007 and March 3, 2008.
The accused were represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes in association with attorney-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan. Hughes in his application for bail told the court that the charges against the men were “fiscal offences.” He said that it was not illegal to export gold and the only crime committed was failure to pay royalties to the Guyana Gold Board, which is seven per cent of the total value of the gold. In the case of the conspiracy charge, Hughes pointed out that a felony was not committed but a misdemeanour.
Hughes also told the court that the men were not deported, were not detained in Suriname and that there was no exhibit to be used as evidence in the matter, since the gold, worth $96 million, was “forfeited” to the Surinamese government and not “seized.” He said that if the gold had been seized, then the presumption that it would be returned could be made. However, this was not the case.
Hughes further said that the men were not subject to serious criminal allegations and were charged under bailable offences, and as such, reasonable bail should be granted. He told the court that Albert Sarjoo had medical problems and would not withstand incarceration; furthermore, he had never left these shores for Suriname.
Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith objected to bail. She said there was the likelihood that the men would flee the jurisdiction and that investigations were ongoing on other circumstances surrounding the gold. Hughes replied that investigations should not impede anyone’s right to bail, especially in the light of the present charges against his clients. He further argued that the men had been in custody for six days, which was ample time to conduct investigations.
He reiterated that at the end of all investigations the only crime to be proven was a failure to pay royalties.
Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle subsequently granted the four men bail in the sum of $5 million each.
Shortly after the hearing in the Magistrate’s Court, the lawyers moved to the High Court for a reduction of bail. Justice Chang reduced the bail for the three charged with illegal export to $1 million each, whilst Albert Sarjoo was placed on $500,000 bail.
The two younger Sarjoos, who are cousins, and Arjune were intercepted in Suriname with the gold. Questions have been raised as to whether there is any connection between this find and the robbery of two gold dealers during the Bartica massacre. The three men were reportedly travelling in a Guyana registered car when they were apprehended.
The men will return to Court Six of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on April 11.
