Another two suspects were yesterday charged in connection with the $400 million dollar gold theft from a Mahaica, East Coast Demerara dealer.
Sabautaro Singh called ‘Mark Singh’ or ‘Pappy’, 22, a labourer of Her-stelling Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Bisram Paul called ‘Marlon’, 44, a taxi driver of Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo were charged jointly with stealing 1,000 ounces of raw gold from Bibi Acklema Goberdhan.
They appeared before Magistrate Marissa Mittel-holzer at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.
The suspects were not required to plead to the indictable charge and were released on $150,000 bail each.
The matter was adjourn-ed to October 25th when it will be called again at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court for report and disclosure.
Singh and Paul were arrested by the police last Friday.
Paul was among three persons who the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had issued wanted bulletins for about two weeks ago.
The two others are Andray Duncan, called ‘Junior’, 27 and Damien Brummell, 51.
Duncan turned himself into the police last Monday. He was accompanied by his attorney, Eusi Anderson. Brummell is yet to be arrested.
A number of suspects have since been charged in relation to the theft.
Last Wednesday, three suspects; Deo Kissoon called ‘Lolly’, 23 of Herstelling Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Daniel Ethon, 24, of Lot 30 ‘B’ Elijah, Corentyne, Berbice and a 17-year-old of Farm Squatting Area, EBD, were also charged jointly with the crime.
They denied the allegation. 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 pretence from Goberdhan. He denied the charge and was also placed on $150,000 bail.
During the early stage of the investigation, 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.
Satrohan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment while Bhaloonauth denied the allegation and was remanded to prison.
Several other suspects were arrested and questioned as part of the probe. They include two subordinate officers from Berbice who were subsequently placed on open arrest.
Police had said Goberdhan accumulated the gold at her Mahaica property over the years.
So far, investigators have been able to recover 98 ounces of raw gold and $6.6 million in cash.
While 28 ounces were found during the initial course of the investigation, another 70 were recovered late last month.
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 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 three Fridays ago.
According to the police, Seegobin and Satrohan found the gold while conducting repairs on the home of 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.