Miner accused of carrying gold without export licence - released on bail

Miner accused of carrying gold without export licence – released on bail

Jul 13, 2016 News

Paul Persaud

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday released a 35-year-old miner on $100,000 bail, after he was accused of travelling with a large amount of gold when he was not the holder of an export licence.
The man, Paul Persaud, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It is alleged that on February 5, at the then Ogle International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, while he was not a producer, Persaud had 15.588 ounces of gold in his possession valued $3,111, 600.
The court was told that the gold was in the form of jewellery.
Persaud of Jackson Street, Tucville, Georgetown, was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh. Hugh requested for his client to be released on bail because he is not a flight risk.
The attorney said that Persaud has been fully cooperating with investigations being carried out by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU).
According to Hugh, the father of three has no pending or previous matters before the court.
Hugh also made a request for the police to hand over money they had seized from the defendant. The lawyer explained that the money that his client was carrying at the time of his arrest was below the required limit.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru however stated that he was unaware about any cash being seized from the defendant and said that he would look into it.
The Chief Magistrate advised him that the money should be returned to the defendant if it is not part of SOCU’s investigations.
The matter was transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for August 2.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News