SARA seeking Brazil cooperation to recover revenue from smuggled gold – Attorney General …says agency has 12 cases with possible recovery value of over $2B

Dec 08, 2018 News

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, said that officials in Guyana are seeking the cooperation of law enforcement in Brazil to recover revenue from suspected gold smuggling operations.
Williams disclosed during the budget debate, yesterday, that the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) is spearheading these efforts.
“SARA is presently seeking cooperation with Brazil to identify and if possible recover gold held in Brazil due to illegal activities by Guyanese smugglers,” Williams stated.
He stated that the agency is working with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to recover revenue lost through gold shipments leaving Guyana.
According to Williams, there have been several cases where amounts declared at the Cheddi Jagan Airport were vastly different to what was declared at J.F.K. in New York.
The Minister reminded that SARA’s mandate is to recover stolen national wealth. There have been criticisms that since its establishment under the current Government, it has not presented any major case to the court.
Williams told the National Assembly that the Agency has been working on 25 cases referred to them by the Police Legal Advisor plus other referrals.
Presently, he said that the Agency has five cases, which are 90% complete and are only held up because requests for information have not yet been fulfilled.
“Several agencies are still going through mountains of old documents to find the relevant pieces of information which are needed to wrap up cases,” Williams said.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

He said there are another 12 cases with a possible recovery value of over $2 billion that are about 70% complete.
Williams also disclosed that SARA, working with NICIL, was able to have three pieces of Government property repossessed from delinquent leasees. He said two of these properties are again on the market and interested parties are prepared to pay 300% – 400% more than the previous tenants. The third piece of property was sold to the Guyana Revenue Authority for $60M.
“SARA, working with Ministries and Regions led to improved inventories of equipment and the repossession and reallocation of more than 30 buildings across the country,” Williams stated.
He said Government continues to have combatting corruption on the front burner and has been working to fight against all forms of corruption.
“Our policy is that corruption must be eliminated. This Government recognizes that corruption hinders economic growth and development and undermines public confidence in the administration. The Government therefore continues to strengthen its anti-corruption mechanisms and formulate strategies to ensure that all Guyanese, not some, can enjoy the good life,” Williams explained.
He said this year the Attorney General’s Chambers continued its anti-corruption sensitization seminars with teams visiting Region Three, Five and Seven.
Next year, there are plans to visit other regions.

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