Customs Officers’ assets to be scrutinized - President

Customs Officers’ assets to be scrutinized – President

Jan 08, 2009 News

By Gary Eleazar

The report on the corruption probe into Customs Officers under the Auspices of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) that was conducted by the Auditor General of Guyana in tandem with the Guyana Police Force, among others, has been analysed by the President and has been turned over to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Jagdeo calls for investigations into assets of corrupt Customs officers

Based on the DPP’s advice charges will be laid. But according to Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo the AG’s report was missing a crucial term of reference that he had required in that he wanted the assets of the delinquent officers assessed.

Jagdeo told media operatives that he was advised by the Attorney General, Deodat Sharma, that another agency should be responsible for the assessment of assets of Customs officers.

The President was adamant that “it is one thing to look at the current incident but when you look at assets and how the assets accumulate,” then that is a whole other issue.

He said that if people were not able to properly account “for their assets then they have a lot to answer for”.

The president was insistent that the assets analysis component of the investigation be fulfilled. He pointed to the fact that if the capability was not available locally then the audit office should seek external assistance and the Government would foot the Bill.

“We want to make sure that we have a comprehensive investigation into all of these issues and that there be consequences for people who are involved in these shenanigans…I am all for extending coverage and to get the best forensic experts to come in and work with the audit department.”

Several Customs officers and other employees of the GRA were sent on administrative leave early last year. They will know their fate as soon as the DPP makes the appropriate recommendations.

Five of the employees that were sent on leave were dismissed during the investigations ordered by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Acting Head of the Remission Unit, Roopnarine Ramkishun, was among the latest of employees to be sent home.

Whether Fidelity Investments will be charged also depends on what advice the DPP proffers.

With the completion of the Customs Officer/Fidelity probe, investigators will next be turning their attention to the integrity of the other GRA officers.

The multi-agency investigation was launched in light of possible fraud of Government revenues by Customs officers and Fidelity Investments, agent for Venezuelan Polar Beer.

GRA staffers were questioned about containers imported by Fidelity Investments and Kong Inc, a subsidiary, importers of Venezuela’s Polar Beer.

It is believed that the containers which came in were filled with Polar Beer, but the GRA officers, including members of the Internal Affairs, Enforcement, VAT and Customs, allegedly colluded to forge documents to show, instead, that there were soft drinks in the containers.

Some of the GRA officers have been working with Government for as many as 14 years. The president also announced yesterday that the document will be tabled in the National Assembly for public scrutiny as soon as possible.

He said that the tabling of the report could be done as early as the next two or three sittings of the National Assembly.