Tag: SOCU

Court rules Magistrate Clarke must recuse herself from SOCU cases

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The High Court has ordered Magistrate Tameika Clarke to recuse herself from five cases brought by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), citing apparent bias arising from her prior legal dispute with the unit.
According to a SOCU release, the ruling was delivered on Friday, January 9, 2026, by Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, who granted SOCU’s application for judicial review, including declarations and an order of mandamus compelling the magistrate’s recusal and directing that the matters be reassigned to another sitting magistrate.
SOCU had contended that Magistrate Clarke’s continued involvement in the cases was improper, unreasonable and unfair, given that in November 2022, while in private practice, she had filed constitutional proceedings against the unit. In November 2023, the State accepted liability and the court awarded her damages.
In July 2024, SOCU instituted money laundering charges against Ian Jacobis and three others, and separately charged Ivor Scipio with offences relating to the illegal exportation of gold. The matters were assigned to Magistrate Clarke in September 2025 and were set to commence in October 2025.
SOCU prosecutors applied for Magistrate Clarke to recuse herself, citing her prior civil dispute with the unit, but the application was refused. SOCU subsequently filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court seeking declarations and an order of mandamus.
After hearing arguments, Acting Chief Justice Singh ruled that the prior legal dispute between Magistrate Clarke and SOCU was personal and not merely a professional disagreement arising during the course of legal practice. He held that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, and that under Guyana’s Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers, a judicial officer should disqualify himself or herself where there has been prior personal involvement giving rise to a reasonable appearance of bias.
SOCU was represented by attorney-at-law and prosecutor David Brathwaite, while Magistrate Clarke was represented by Solicitor General Nigel Hawke and attorneys from the Attorney General’s Chambers.

SOCU cracks major gold-smuggling network: Three arrested; over $130M in cash and gold seized

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has disrupted what authorities believe to be a major gold-smuggling and money-laundering operation in Bartica, Region Seven, seizing more than $130 million in cash and gold during a coordinated raid on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.

The intelligence-driven operation, conducted at multiple locations, resulted in the seizure of over $32 million in cash and more than $100 million in unprocessed gold. Investigators say the haul is linked to an attempted purchase of undeclared gold intended for illicit export.

According to law-enforcement officials, the group had been under long-term surveillance by both local and international partners. Investigators believe the suspects are connected to a wider network of illegal gold traders and may have ties to the Mohameds, who are suspected of financing gold purchases and facilitating smuggling operations.

SOCU confirmed the arrest of three men—Eon Ricardo Ferrier, also known as “Blacks”, Munesh Chatterpaul, and Latchman Malloo—all of whom are being questioned in relation to gold smuggling, money laundering, and other organised-crime activities.

Authorities say the operation forms part of the Government of Guyana’s broader strategy to dismantle criminal organisations that profit from illegal mining, undeclared gold trading, and financial crimes. Gold smuggling has long posed a threat to Guyana’s economy, depriving the state of revenue and undermining the integrity of the natural-resources sector.

In a statement, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to aggressively pursuing individuals and networks involved in illicit gold activities. SOCU also emphasised that it will continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, and enforcement measures to ensure offenders are brought before the courts.

The investigation remains active, with further arrests and charges expected as authorities widen their probe into the multimillion-dollar smuggling ring.

Supreme Court says magistrates can preside remotely across jurisdictions

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Any magistrate in Guyana can preside over a court via an audio-visual link while physically present in another jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the Judicature said on Wednesday, clarifying a ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh.

The clarification followed Singh’s decision to overturn Magistrate Delon Bess’s dismissal of three criminal charges against convicted fraudster Dave Rajeshwar Persaud. The court stressed the issue was not jurisdiction but whether the dismissal of cases in which trial had begun was proper.

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) had argued Bess acted unlawfully when he dismissed matters listed at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court while sitting at Leguan. On May 29, 2025, Bess presided via Zoom from Leguan and dismissed the cases after finding no SOCU prosecutor present, despite a clerk confirming an adjournment to June 27.

Justice Singh ruled Bess acted improperly, failed to verify the prosecution’s absence, and quashed the dismissals as unlawful and irrational.

High Court quashes Magistrate’s dismissal of fraud cases against convicted scammer

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Acting Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh on Monday, ruled in favour of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), overturning a decision by Magistrate Delon Bess to dismiss three criminal charges against convicted fraudster, Dave Rajeshwar Persaud.
The ruling came after SOCU successfully sought judicial review orders and constitutional relief, arguing that Magistrate Bess acted unlawfully when he dismissed the cases in the Diamond Magistrate’s Court while presiding instead at the Leguan Magistrate’s Court.
According to court documents, the matters were scheduled for May 29, 2025, at Diamond. However, SOCU prosecutors said they were contacted early that morning by the court-assigned clerk, who requested an adjournment date since Magistrate Bess was due to sit at Leguan. The prosecutors proposed June 27, 2025, and the clerk confirmed.
Despite this, Magistrate Bess reportedly joined the Diamond Court’s Zoom session from Leguan on May 29, with Persaud appearing virtually from Lusignan Prison. Finding no SOCU representative on the call, Bess dismissed all three matters.
SOCU prosecutors later attended the Diamond Court on June 27, waiting more than three hours before being told of the dismissals. The agency subsequently filed judicial review proceedings, contending that the magistrate’s decision was illegal, irrational, and a breach of natural justice.
Justice Singh agreed, ruling that Bess acted improperly by handling Diamond Court matters while sitting in another jurisdiction and failing to verify with his clerk the prosecution’s absence. The High Court ordered that the dismissals be quashed.
SOCU was represented by Prosecutor David Brathwaite.

SOCU to appeal dismissal of charges against Dave Rajeshwar

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) said prosecutors were caught off guard after learning that Magistrate Delon Bess of the Diamond Magistrates’ Court had dismissed three charges pending against convicted fraudster Dave Rajeshwar Persaud, despite a court clerk having confirmed a new adjournment date for continuation of the trial.

Persaud was sentenced in April 2025 to three years’ imprisonment for the offence of obtaining by false pretence. Three additional charges remained pending before Magistrate Bess and were scheduled for trial continuation.

According to SOCU, on the morning of Thursday, 29 May 2025, at 6:39 a.m., prosecutors received a WhatsApp message from the magistrate’s clerk requesting a suggested adjournment date, as Magistrate Bess was scheduled to sit at the Leguan Magistrates’ Court that day instead of at Diamond. When asked whether a date in June would be suitable, the clerk confirmed that it would be. SOCU then proposed 27 June 2025, which the clerk accepted.

However, on Friday, 27 June, around 12:20 p.m., after waiting for the matters to be called, SOCU prosecutors enquired about the case status. Magistrate Bess directed them to the clerk, who informed them that the matters had already been dismissed on 29 May. The magistrate later explained that while presiding at the Leguan Magistrates’ Court on that day, he joined a Zoom session with the Diamond Court to address Persaud’s matter. Persaud appeared via Zoom from prison, but no SOCU prosecutors or witnesses were present. As a result, the magistrate said, the matters were dismissed.

SOCU contends that at least one of the dismissed cases had already reached an advanced stage, with the victim under cross-examination. Prosecutors say the magistrate was procedurally required to close the cross-examination, formally close the prosecution’s case, and invite submissions on the evidence already led before deciding whether dismissal was warranted. They note that this process was not followed and that no such entry was made in the magisterial jacket, raising concerns of irregularity

Additionally, SOCU highlighted that it is highly unusual for a magistrate sitting in the Leguan Magistrates’ Court, which falls under a separate magisterial district, to dismiss cases pending before a court in the Diamond jurisdiction. A subsequent review of correspondence between the court clerk and SOCU prosecutors revealed that the clerk failed to inform Magistrate Bess of the adjourned date set for 27 June. SOCU has since signalled its intent to appeal the dismissal of the matters.

Brazilian national charged for illegal possession of gold

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Osmil Costa Da Silva, a Brazilian national of 111 Mile Mahdia, Region Eight, was on Friday charged with Possession of Gold by a Person Not Being a Producer, in violation of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01.

A release noted that the charge followed a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Wednesday.

Da Silva appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1, where the charge was formally read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $75,000.

The matter has been transferred to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court for report on June 20, 2025.

SOCU seizes gold, over $17M in cash in latest crackdown

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal gold mining and smuggling operations, with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) announcing the arrest of a Brazilian national and the seizure of a large quantity of gold and over $17 million in cash during a major operation in Region Eight.

The suspect, identified as Osmil Da Silva, was arrested on Wednesday, May 21, during a joint intelligence-led operation at his business premises, Filhao Shop, located in Central Mahdia. He is currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

According to Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, Head of SOCU, the unit was able to disrupt an alleged smuggling operation before the gold could be transported across the border.

A significant quantity of raw gold, along with equipment, documents, and millions in Guyanese currency, was confiscated during the raid.

“This latest success is part of the continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to disrupt the illicit gold trade and safeguard Guyana’s mineral resources,” Karimbaksh said.

The operation adds to a growing list of enforcement actions targeting foreign nationals involved in unlawful gold mining and smuggling activities in Guyana’s hinterland.

In March 2025, two Brazilian nationals were apprehended in Lethem, Region Nine, after authorities seized a large stash of gold and over $26 million in cash. In a separate operation in April, two more Brazilians, along with a Cuban and a Guyanese, were arrested in possession of more than $30 million in gold and $31 million in cash.

The rising number of such incidents has sparked growing concern among authorities over the scale and organisation of transnational gold smuggling networks operating within Guyana’s borders.

SOCU operation: Essequibo miner arrested, gold, cash seized

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

A gold miner and businessman from the Essequibo Coast was arrested on Tuesday during a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) operation.

According to a release, SOCU officers, acting on intelligence gathered over a sustained period, swooped down on the premises of Mahindar Nauth Ghanesh, located at Lot 1-2 Track B, New Road, Essequibo Coast.

The operation led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of cash and gold.

Ghanesh, who had been under surveillance by both local and international authorities, is believed to have extensive connections to illicit gold trading networks. He was taken into custody during the raid and is reportedly cooperating with investigators.

This latest operation forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at dismantling organised criminal networks involved in gold smuggling across Guyana.

Large quantity of gold, millions in cash seized in alleged smuggling attempt

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Officers from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) intercepted an alleged gold smuggling attempt in Georgetown on Thursday, detaining four people and seizing gold and cash worth millions, police said.

Acting on credible intelligence, officers detained two Brazilian nationals, one Cuban national, and one Guyanese, according to a police statement.

“SOCU also seized a large quantity of gold valued at over 30 million Guyana dollars and more than 31 million Guyana dollars in cash, along with electronic equipment. This is a significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit gold smuggling. The four are currently assisting with investigations,” the statement said.

SOCU Head, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, said officers disrupted the smuggling operation before the gold could be moved.

He warned smugglers to cease illegal activities or face prosecution, underscoring the government’s commitment to tackling transnational crimes and protecting the country’s resources.

Thursday’s operation follows a similar enforcement action on 5 March in Lethem, Region Nine, where two people were arrested.

The Government of Guyana remains resolute in its efforts to combat illicit gold smuggling and dismantle criminal networks, the statement added.

Authorities continue to monitor and enforce strict measures to hold offenders accountable and prevent further economic losses. Investigations are ongoing.

Major illegal gold smuggling operations disrupted, over $26M seized

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

In a major intelligence-led joint operation conducted on Wednesday in Lethem, Region Nine, officers of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) successfully intercepted an illegal gold smuggling attempt.

Police say that, acting on credible intelligence, SOCU officers detained two Brazilian nationals and seized a large quantity of gold and over G$26 million in cash.

Arrested are Albina Filho Alves Vieira, a male of Brazilian nationality, a salesman, aged 42 years, of 55 Boa Vista, Brazil, and Erizangela Regia De Olivera, a female of Brazilian nationality, aged 39 years, a clothes vendor of Lot 3 Boa Vista, Brazil.

The two are currently assisting with investigations.

According to Head of SOCU, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, SOCU officers were able to disrupt the smuggling operation before the gold could be moved across the border, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling transnational crimes and protecting the nation’s valuable resources.

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.

This latest crackdown follows a similar enforcement action in July last year at the Ramada Princess Hotel when officials responded to intelligence on illegal gold smuggling, resulting in the arrest of three Chinese nationals.

In that incident, two searches resulted in the discovery of over $50 million (Guyana dollars) in cash, money-counting machines, and an illegal firearm.

The Government of Guyana remains resolute in its mission to combat illicit gold smuggling and dismantle networks involved in these illegal activities. Officials continue to monitor and enforce strict measures to hold offenders accountable and prevent further economic losses to the country.

Investigations are continuing with a view to prosecution.