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More charges for “Mastermind” in $93M Port Kaituma gold heist
The alleged “master conspirer” in the $93M gold heist from the El Dorado Gold Trading Company in Port Kaituma on November 8 has been slapped with an additional charge.
Kevin Chandrawattie, “mastermind” in gold heist
An indictable simple larceny charge was previously read to him and three co-accused. The charge alleged that on November 8, at Port Kaituma they stole 96 ounces of raw gold valued at $22M and $71M cash from El Dorado Gold Trading Company.
At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Neville “Sunil” Chandrawattie, was further slapped with unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms charges.
Chandrawattie pleaded not guilty before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to the charges which claim that during the period of October 1 to November 8, he had in his possession one .32 Taurus pistol as well as two rounds of .32 ammunition when at the time he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
Representing the “mastermind” was Defence Attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who in her bail application stated that her client has no knowledge of any firearm or ammunition and at every opportunity has denied such claims.
However, State Prosecutor Glenn Hanoman reiterated that a robbery of a similar nature was also conducted on the said company (El Dorado Trading) a few years ago. He said that a murder resulted from that act and the police are currently investigating the similarities of the cases since the possibility exists that a murder charge may arise from the investigations.
The State Prosecutor further added that it was in the interest of the accused that he requests that he remains in custody. Hanoman told the court that Chandrawattie was cooperative with the Guyana Police Force in locating the co-accused and further went to the home of Amirulllah Kudratulla, Anil Dhiram and Kenneth Garraway who are also charged in the matter, so with his safety in mind, he opined that the “mastermind” should be further remanded.
On account of the simple larceny charge which each of the accused currently faces, during the hearing it was revealed that Kenneth Garraway, the owner of the boat in which the items were allegedly transported, was recently granted bail to the tune of $1.5M by Chief Justice Ian Chang.
Attorney at Law Mursaline Bacchus informed the court that his client Amirulllah Kudratulla has a pending application for bail before the Chief Justice while Defence Attorney Tejnarine Ramroop renewed a bail application for Anil Dhiram since according to him his client was not further charged as previously promised by the Prosecution.
However, Chief Magistrate thereafter acknowledged the pending bail application before the Chief Justice and further remanded the men to prison.
They are expected to make their next court appearance on November 29.
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