Jeweller Sanjay Persaud is facing a possession of illegal fuel charge after his employees were allegedly found with more than $12M of diesel in a boat off Bartica.

Sanjay Persaud

Persaud has been charged with possession of illegal fuel, contrary to Section 519B of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Act 1997, as amended by Section 4 of the GEA Amendment Act 2004.

The charge states that the defendant on November 28 on the MV Captain Nicholas in the Essequibo River, in the vicinity of Bartica, had in his possession a quantity of illegal petroleum, to wit diesel, which did not contain the marker in the required proportion as determined by the minister.

Stabroek News understands that Persaud’s employees were on the vessel when it was stopped by GEA officials. Statements were taken from them and Persaud, who was contacted, later gave a statement to the police. It is understood that some 14,000 gallons of fuel was on board.

Persaud was expected to appear before Magistrate Fazil Azeez at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court yesterday but the case jacket never made it to the courtroom. Stabroek News was reliably informed that the charge was filed in Suddie and the jacket was expected to be taken to the courtroom but it was not there yesterday morning. Consequently Persaud is to appear before the magistrate on January 21, 2009 since the court only sits once a month. Because the charge was filed several days ago, questions are being asked about why the case jacket was not taken to Bartica from Suddie.