Dear Editor,
Finally, there is a money laundering development of meaning. Lots of money, plenty of questions and, as they say. These are my thoughts on this GY$4.1B caper that touches so much in this country. It is astonishing that this multiyear probe was kept secret. Nothing leaked. No one ran. That is, except for some Chinese folks who took evasive actions of some sort? They might still be here, and it cannot be only those who are suspected, encircled, inside this ring of calculation and plenty cash. Additionally, it would be incredible if only Chinese money launderers are in operation in the domestic arena.
Then, I notice the surprise, dismay on occasion, that the “masterminds” were allowed to fly the coop. C’mon folks, this is Guyana, please get real. I invite anyone to enlighten this nation (and yours truly) when the last time was that any mastermind or intellectual author or ‘big fish’ got snared. By anybody. For anything. It could have been murder; or corruption; or other costly wrongdoings. Thus, this alarm is a shade on the overblown side over who got away. I am more focused on who lies low (detected or protected, or otherwise), and who is still in operation, albeit with new caution and wisdom.
The fact that SOCU acted in the first place is a testimony to the new. I ponder the source of its interest and action beyond the bankers, not known to be usually helpful, and the now hobbled FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) sentinels. Since it is the Chinese involved, and all Guyanese in the know should know to where and how far they tier up, the thought is that helping American hands could have given a timely, much-needed boost. The fact that the fingered, or known, Chinese are nowhere in sight, makes me ask myself who repaid some debt, maintained some relationship, or arranged a little preemptive disclosure, so that things did not get out of control. I submit political and diplomatic circles.
In the political realm, my conclusion is that the Attorney General is now well-positioned to make a stirring speech about the PPP Government’s commitment to eradicate the scourge of money laundering, and present to the CFATF people what they have been pressing for over the longest period. That is, names and faces and cases. Well, there is one now, as incomplete as it may be, which leads me to reflect about how far this would flush through the court system(s). Guyanese are in for an operatic treat. As an aside, I am thinking how nice it would have been, revealing too, if the missing Chinese connections were part of this local matter, inclusive of charges and trials. I can only imagine the interventions, arrangements, and covers, some official. With all this said, we now have three Guyanese in hand to face some type of music.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall