-sees ring of corrupt officers, assets may be checked

Customs officers ensnared in a racket with Fidelity Investments have said they assisted government officials to evade duties, President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed yesterday and he challenged the revenue authority employees to call the names of the officials as he vowed he was not going to protect anyone.

Speaking publicly for the first time since investigators homed in the malpractices at Customs House, Jagdeo told reporters at a press conference yesterday that the probe which he initiated last week will go deeper than the Fidelity Investment scheme, noting that there was a major ring of corrupt officers who had been robbing the state of revenue.

Since the initiation of the probe two customs officials have been sent on leave while several others are being closely monitored.