Investigators probing the $400 million theft of raw gold from a Mahaica, East Coast Demerara dealer have recovered 28 ounces of the precious metal and arrested a number of other suspects.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that as of yesterday afternoon, six suspects, including the two Subordinate Officers from Berbice, were in police custody.
The number of suspects increased late last night following some additional arrests and the seizure of another vehicle.
So far, 28 ounces of raw gold have been recovered by ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Major Crimes Unit in addition to $6.6 million in cash.
To date, seven vehicles — a Toyota Axio motorcar, four Toyota fielder wagons and two Canter trucks — have been seized. The registration numbers of the vehicles were not provided by the police.
In addition, a number of items, including a gas stove, a washing machine, carpets, a dining set, a wheelbarrow, a television and a stereo set were confiscated as part of the probe. It is believed that these items were purchased by the suspects with the proceeds of the crime.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday disclosed that ranks of the CID Headquarters were probing the theft, which was suspected to have occurred between December last year and January this year.
The theft was only reported to the police last Friday.
Two men, Satrohan Seegobin, called ‘Richie’, 24, a construction worker, of Lot 13 Farm, East Bank Demerara along with contractor Bhaloonauth Seegobin, 49, called ‘Krishna’, of the same address were charge on Tuesday with the simple larceny of 1,000 ounces of raw gold, valued at $400 million.
Satrohan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Seegobin denied the allegation and was remanded to prison after they both appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.
According to the police, Seegobin and Satrohan found the gold while conducting repairs on the home of the Mahaica dealer, who was only identified as a businesswoman who has been a gold dealer for a number of years.
The police said during the period of December 2021 to January 2022, the woman had contracted the two suspects to conduct repairs on her home. During the work, they found the gold and divided it among themselves.
The police said the men subsequently went on a shopping spree.
It remains unclear whether the businesswoman is subject to any investigation although she could potentially face charges as well as the police said she had accumulated the raw gold and had concealed it at a location within her home over the years.
The Gold Board Act makes it illegal for persons who are not producers to have raw gold in their possession and stipulates that it must be sold to the Board or to any agent authorized in writing by the Board.
It is also unknown whether the police are in contact with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as part of the investigation.
