Three other suspects were charged on Monday in connection with the $400 million dollar gold theft from a Mahaica, East Coast Demerara dealer.
Three of the suspects, Deo Kissoon called ‘Lolly’, 23 of Herstelling Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Daniel Ethon, 24, of Lot 30 ‘B’ Elijah, Coren-tyne, Berbice and a 17-year-old of Farm Squatting Area, EBD, were charged with allegedly stealing 1,000 ounces of raw gold from Bibi Acklema Goberdhan.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read to them by Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court.
Kissoon and Ethon were placed on $150,000 bail each, while the teenager was released on self-bail.
A fourth person, Raleigh Bernard, 36 of Coverden, EBD was charged with obtaining money by false pretense from Goberdhan. He denied the charge and was also placed on $150,000 bail.
The case was adjourned until October 18 for disclosure of statements.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that as the investigation continues, several others suspects are presently in police custody.
Two subordinate officers from Berbice were arrested during the initial stage of the investigation. However, they were placed on open arrest.
Police on Friday issued wanted bulletins for three suspects in the crime.
They were identified as Mark Singh, called ‘Poppy’, 22; Andray Duncan, called ‘Junior’, 27 and Damien Brummell, 51.
Duncan turned himself into the police on Monday. He was accompanied by his attorney, Eusi Anderson.
Two other men, Satrohan Seegobin, called ‘Richie’, 24, a construction worker, of Lot 13 Farm, EBD and his father, contractor Bhaloonauth Seegobin, 49, called ‘Krishna’, of the same address were charged with the theft last Tuesday.
Satrohan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Bhaloonauth denied the allegation and was remanded to prison after they both appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.
Police had said Goberdhan accumulated the gold at her Mahaica property over the years.
So far, investigators have been able to recover 98 ounces raw gold and $6.6 million in cash.
While 28 ounces were found during the initial course of the investigation, another 70 were recovered last Thursday night.
Eight vehicles and other articles, including a gas stove, a washing machine, carpets, a dining set, a television and a stereo set, were also seized as part of the probe. It is believed that these items were purchased by the suspects with the proceeds of the crime.
Police disclosed more than a week ago that ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department (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 two Fridays ago.
According to the police, Seegobin and Satrohan found the gold while conducting repairs on the home of the Mahaica dealer, Goberdhan, who they only identified as a businesswoman who has been a gold dealer for a number of years. She had not been named.
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 Goberdhan is being investigated 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.
