Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn yesterday said that the authorities here are aware of the Brazil Federal Police probe of a US$16m smuggling ring involving a Guyanese businessman.
When contacted by Stabroek News, Benn said the government will pronounce on it in due course.
Stabroek News yesterday reported that Brazil is conducting an investigation involving a Guyanese businessman, who is said to be part of a smuggling ring where some R$80 million (US$16.4 million) of illegally mined gold was laundered through shell companies in the food and medical supply industries.
Several days ago, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security of Brazil reported through its Federal Police that an investigation dubbed “Operation Vanglória” had been launched that would get to the origin and sale of illegal gold.
Since the investigation was launched, three search and seizure warrants have been issued by the 4th Federal Criminal Court of the Federal Court in Roraima.
Meanwhile, there is information linking a Guyanese businessman, who works in the mining industry here, to suspicious activities in Brazil. The investigation so far indicates that the suspect owns a company that is registered to sell foodstuff.
Additionally, it is known the Guyanese businessman would also make use of a Brazilian partner who is also being investigated, to move money through other shell companies. One of them, which on paper trades in hospital supplies but has no activity at the registered address, has so far moved more than R$60 million.
As such, “Operation Vanglória” also seeks to clarify whether the amounts moved originate only from the smuggling of gold from Guyana or whether the businessman was illegally exploiting mines in Indigenous areas in the state of Roraima.
When Stabroek News contacted the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) in Guyana, the unit through its head, Senior Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh, said that they were unaware of this matter.
