Three men were yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with the $93 million gold heist at El Dorado Trading Company, at Port Kaituma last Friday.
Kennett Garraway, of Lot 37 Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, Anil Dairam, 28, of Lot 52 Blairmont, West Bank Berbice and Amirullah Kuturatullah, 45, of Lot 23 Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, were not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge when it was read to them by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Special Prosecutor Glenn Hanoman said that the men, along with other persons who are yet to be charged, stole $93 million from El Dorado Trading Company. He said some of the money was recovered in the homes of the accused, whom he claimed confessed to the crime.
Hanoman also told the court that the prime suspect was in police custody but yet to be charged. He added that the investigation is ongoing.
It is alleged that on November 8, at Port Kaituma, the men stole 96 ounces of raw gold, valued $22 million, and $71 million cash, which were the property of Tamesh Jagmohan, from El Dorado Trading Company.
In addition, Amirullah Kuturatullah was charged with having in his possession forged currency.
Hanoman explained that Jagmohan operates his business at Port Kaituma. The business, he said, purchases gold. He said that Kuturatullah and Dairam had met with an insider of the company and planned the crime over a period of days. The insider, he added, arranged for Dairam to hide under a bed and on the evening of November 8 he attacked and subsequently escaped with the loot and gold bars on a boat to Charity. The men then boarded another boat.
Considerable amounts of cash were discovered in the homes of Kuturatullah and Garraway, Hanoman said, while suggesting that the men might flee the country if they are released from prison. “The prosecution case is strong,” he said, while noting that it would push the three accused to try to escape. He, therefore, insisted that their bail applications be rejected.
Hanoman also noted that the men’s confessions were sufficient evidence that they should remain in prison. He also stated that the men had refused to produce their travel documents to the police, which fuelled fears that they might flee the country. He also indicated that additional charges might follow for the accused. “This is a serious matter,” he said, noting that the case covers Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara.
He also mentioned that there was a similar robbery that occurred in the district three years ago and the police are now trying to ascertain whether there is a link between the two.
Hanoman also indicated that the police investigations were incomplete and he criticised the Port Kaituma Police for compromising the case and deliberately delaying investigations.
However, attorney Nigel Hughes, who represented Garraway, stated that his client may not have been a willing participant. He also argued that his client should not suffer for the North West police’s negligence.
Hughes also stated that the prosecution’s claim that his client had received $5.5 million from the crime was false. He noted that when the police raided his client’s home, only $4 million was found.
Hughes challenged Hanoman’s claim that his client is a flight risk, arguing that there was no evidence to implicate him in the crime since he was a professional boat operator. He added that confession statements are often procured by punishing the accused.
Hanoman then interjected and asked for a medical examination to be administered on the three accused but Hughes objected to his application, stating that a medical examination would be useless since the police could implement torture methods that might not leave obvious physical marks.
Hughes’ statement left Hanoman shocked.
Hughes, however, did ask that a psychiatric evaluation be carried on the three accused, saying it would indicate signs of them being tortured into admitting to the crime.
He also explained that Garraway was never issued a passport, which is why he could not turn anything over to the police.
Meanwhile, attorney Tajnarine Ramroop said that his client, Kuturatullah, a farmer, was never convicted of any crime and was a father of three children. Ramroop also defended Dairam, who he said was a large scale cash crop farmer.
Despite their lawyers’ arguments, the magistrate remanded the three men and adjourned the case until November 22.
Meanwhile, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday that detectives have not sought legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the three policemen that were arrested in connection with the crime. He added that the ranks remain under close arrest. He also indicated that the investigators were given an extension on the detention of the employee who allegedly plotted the heist.
