-says Guyana cheated of US$50m in gold taxes
The United States Department of The Treasury yesterday imposed sanctions on businessmen Nazar Mohamed and son, Azruddin Mohamed over the alleged massive smuggling of gold and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas, was cited for alleged corruption leading to her being immediately sent on leave by the government here.
Allegations against the Mohameds include defrauding the government here of some US$50 million in taxes from smuggled gold, as well as bribing public officials.
For Toussaint Jr Thomas’s part, it said that she used her office while serving at the Ministry of Home Affairs, to offer benefits to the Mohameds that included contracts, licences for weapons, and passports.