Brazilian gold smuggler charged, granted $75K bail

Mar 11, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- A 40-year-old Brazilian woman was placed on $75,000 bail when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer a charge of purchasing gold from a person other than the Guyana Gold Board or agent an authorised by the Board on Monday.

Brazilian gold smuggler charged, granted $75K bail

Defendant Erizangela Regia De Oliveria Almedia at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday

Erizangela Regia De Oliveria Almedia of Boa Vista Brazil allegedly purchased the gold from Munilall Persaud who is an Inspector of Police, a person other than the Gold Board. The incident occurred on Wednesday March 5, 2025 at Lethem, Region 9. Almedia pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to her by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Almedia was represented by Attorney, Bernard DaSilva who requested reasonable bail. DaSilva assured the court that his client will stay at her friend’s address until the matter is completed. The prosecutor told the court that the gold that was purchased was equivalent to $26.2M. Magistrate McGusty placed Almedia on bail with the condition that she remains at the local address that was given to the court and that she reports every third Wednesday of the month to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). The matter was adjourned until March 19, 2025.

Last week Wednesday, Almedia and another Brazilian man, Albina Filho Alves Vieira were arrested and a large quantity of gold and $26 million in cash were seized by authorities when a gold smuggling operation was dismantled in Region 9, police had reported. Police in a statement had said that the arrests and seizures were carried out by a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) led joint-operation in Lethem, Region 9.

SOCU’s Head, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh said that his officers were able to disrupt the smuggling operation before the gold could be moved across the border. “The operation also serves as a warning to individuals and groups engaged in such illicit activities that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant and proactive in their enforcement efforts,” Karimbaksh stated.

Further, police said that it remains resolute in its mission to combat gold smuggling and dismantling networks involved in illegal activities. “Officials continue to monitor and enforce strict measures to hold offenders accountable and prevent further economic losses to the country,” police assured.

(Brazilian gold smuggler charged, granted $75K bail)

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