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GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jan 07 2016 – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Homeland Security will be working with security officials as they investigate the matters surrounding the weekly exportation of 15,000 ounces of illegal gold.
Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman made the disclosure at a press conference on Wednesday, stating that local law enforcement officials and related agencies were working constantly to tighten all the loopholes through which the precious metal is being smuggled.
He said 50 to 60 percent of local production is lost to smuggling.
“Indicators are that the gold is going to Brazil. It is going over the borders to Suriname, not to stay in Suriname but to go to Europe. It is being landed at Miami International Airport. It is being landed at John F. Kennedy and it is going to the Middle East,” he told reporters.
He said a percentage of the smuggled gold originates from Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela, “passing through what could be weak or porous systems”.
The lead agency for investigating the smuggling is the Guyana Police Force which is being supported by the recently formed Anti-Gold Smuggling Task Force headed by Minister Trotman, and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
Trotman said he believes the illegal trade has to do with a better price being offered overseas, but also with “hiding income from government to avoid taxes altogether”.
