Following the raid by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Peng Keng Chinese Supermarket on Saturday, a number of shelves that stocked alcoholic beverages were seen empty yesterday.
Stabroek News revisited the supermarket at Independence Boulevard and Hunter Streets yesterday and it was observed that the alcohol section was completely empty. Meanwhile, persons at the supermarket at the time of this newspaper’s visit queried the sudden disappearance of the products, with some questioning the impact on the supermarket’s reputation.
“This place has always had a good selection of alcohol,” remarked one customer. “However, I believe that this search was necessary.”
Attempts to contact the supermarket’s owner for a comment were unsuccessful, leaving many questions unanswered.
This newspaper understands authorities had grown suspicious following reports of irregularities associated with the supermarket’s alcohol sales practices. The GRA is yet to speak on the circumstances that led to the operation. Efforts to elicit a comment from it yesterday proved futile.
During the operation, various goods, including alcoholic beverages, were seized by the authorities.
The search operation, which took place at approximately 8:45 pm was closely monitored by police officers who were present on the premises. A team of five GRA officers, accompanied by some young men transported the seized items into a waiting van parked in front of the supermarket.
