-still faces trial on drug charge
Money smuggler pilot Khamraj Lall has been sentenced to one year in jail and has been ordered to forfeit his private jet and over half a million US dollars involved in the offence to the US government.
US District Judge Jay A. Garcia-Gregory imposed the judgement on Tuesday, according to court documents seen by Stabroek News. Lall had faced one count of bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States. He pleaded guilty to the charge last year.
The sentencing was postponed on several occasions and on Tuesday, Justice Garcia-Gregory sentenced Lall to 12 months in jail which he will serve in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Lall was also fined US$3100 and forfeited his interest in a jet – a 1988 Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Aircraft, Israel Aircraft Industries, Model Number 1124, Serial Number 441, FAA Registration N822QL – as well as all related aircraft maintenance log books consisting of airframe, power plant and engine, and flight logbooks. He was also ordered to forfeit US$620,588. The cash smuggling in the jet had led to the charge.
After he has served his prison sentence, Lall will be on supervised release for three years and will not be allowed to leave the judicial district without the permission of the court or his probation officer.
Lall’s case had highlighted his close links to the former PPP/C government. He had been granted permission to construct a private hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and had flown then president Donald Ramotar on official trips on several occasions. These reports triggered consternation and questions as to what due diligence had been carried out on him before the decision was made to assign him a private hangar.
The saga began in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 22, 2014 during a refuelling stop en route to Guyana.
According to court documents seen by this newspaper, on November 22 at 6pm, Lall and two other persons arrived at the Luis Munoz International Airport, San Juan on a private aircraft. He was the co-pilot of the aircraft and the other persons were the pilot and Lall’s father. When approached by customs officials the occupants informed that they had stopped for refuelling purposes and would be departing immediately for Guyana. However, it was explained that an outbound inspection of the aircraft would be performed.
The trio was told of the currency reporting requirements and Lall and his father declared US$5,000 and the pilot declared US$60. However, while searching the aircraft with the assistance of a sniffer dog officials found that there were some discrepancies regarding the maintenance with the aircraft, in violation of aviation regulations and the aircraft was grounded. Lall then informed that he would have flown in his mechanic to take care of the mechanical issues and the following day he informed officials that the problems had been rectified and the aircraft could be re-inspected.
Varied
Before the search continued, Lall varied his declaration. He declared US$7,000, his father US$5,000 and the pilot US$60. However, as officials continued the search, a sniffer dog alerted them to the presence of money and a further inspection revealed a bundle of currency, wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket under the exit row seat. Approached, Lall immediately claimed ownership of the money and said that it was approximately US$150,000 which constituted proceeds from his business. He said that he had forgotten he had the money in the plane and gave such reason for not declaring it. Officials continued to search the aircraft and later discovered a black suitcase inside a compartment next to the engines which contained several black garbage bags with bundles of currency totalling US$470,000. Lall again accepted responsibility and ownership for the money and informed that his pilot and his father had nothing to with the monies and that all belonged to him.
He was then arrested and charged.
His arrest later revealed that the pilot flew frequently to Guyana and that he had a private hangar at the CJIA. The then PPP/C government had been strongly criticized for its connections to Lall and over him being given a private hangar.
His legal troubles have continued. Following investigations in the US, he is also facing drug trafficking charges and, further, has been accused of structuring bank deposits to avoid financial reporting requirements.
An indictment unsealed in the US state of New Jersey on August 3rd, 2015 accuses him of structuring bank deposits in such a way as to avoid reporting requirements. According to United States authorities, during a three-and-a-half year period, over 1,000 deposits totalling US$6.3 million were strategically placed into bank accounts controlled by Lall and his mother Joyce Lall in order to avoid detection of the movements of the funds.
The US is demanding that Lall forfeit the sum of money equal to $7,549,775 in United States currency as that was the amount which was involved in the structuring offence or is traceable to such property for which the defendant is liable. It is also moving for the forfeiture of three properties in New Jersey, Florida and New York, two aircraft and a vehicle. The US government is also seeking the forfeiture of a total of US$442,743 held in 14 accounts controlled by him, his wife Nadinee, his mother or connected businesses.
Last year, Lall was also slapped with two drug charges. One indictment asserts that Lall conspired to import into the US five kilogrammes or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. He also faces a separate indictment of conspiring with others to possess and distribute five kilogrammes or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. The trial is set to begin in June.
After coming to power, the APNU+AFC government has said that it would not renew the hangar lease which expired on October 15. Lall’s representatives have, however, moved to the courts to challenge this action. Other businesses owned by Lall include the Kaylee’s Service Station, at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, which he purchased in 2007. He later expanded his venture when he introduced Quin’s Special Events & Services, a limousine service.
Last year, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had said that government could soon secure Lall’s local assets. Should the government do so, it will be the first time the authorities have gone after assets believed to have been illegally obtained.
