There is evidence of a large-scale network involving several locally-registered mining companies in the smuggling of gold out through the country’s major ports, according to the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Assistant Superintendent Sydney James.
“Based on information gathered we suspect a number of major networks/individuals are engaged in this practice … there are hundreds of people… some are well-established businesses licensed to export gold,” he told Stabroek News, in wake of recent revelations about a gold smuggling ring operating between here and the United States of America and which has led to the revocation of the US visas for several of those implicated along with their relatives.
It is believed that the smugglers have been able to successfully operate with the help of Customs officials,