Duo face court for forged scrap metal licences

Jan 04, 2018 News

Two men yesterday made an appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for allegedly forging scrap metal export licences.

Thirty-three-year-old Neilson McKenzie Jr. former Business liaison officer at the Ministry of Business, of Timehri Hill, East Bank Demerara, and Omal Sutton, 29 of Lot 101 Pike Street, Kitty, both denied the charge which alleged that between June 20 and October 2 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, they forged two scrap metal export licences, purported to show that same was genuine. The men were charged separately for the offence.

McKenzie Jr. was represented by Attorney-at-law Keoma Griffith. The lawyer in an application to secure bail for his client told the court that his client is the Hotel Manager of Tower Suites and he is also a language and communication coach at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Attorney-at-law Dexter Todd represented Sutton. He told the court that his client fully cooperated with the investigation and was released on $100,000 station bail.

He asked that bail be granted to his client in a reasonable amount, since he is not a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to bail being granted to the defendants, citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts.

The defendants were granted $150,000 bail each by the Chief Magistrate.

They were instructed to make their next court appearance on January 10.

According to information, there was the discovery of forged documents relating to a number of containers of scrap metal at the Water Street wharf of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). A GRA employee had noticed some discrepancies pertaining to the export licences for containers of scrap metal being sent overseas.

The discrepancies, especially concerns over the signatures on the documents, were brought to the attention of senior GRA officials who immediately launched a probe.

The signatures on the documents were said to have been forged. An investigation was carried out and several persons were arrested.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News