8 wanted by SOCU for money laundering

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has issued wanted bulletins for eight persons in relation to money laundering and financial crimes committed in Guyana.
Those wanted are 34-year-old Raul James of Kara Kara Housing Scheme, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); 25-year-old Khadijah Long of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden; 27-year-old Akeem Powers of Victory Valley, Linden; 38-year-old Melicia Williams of Kara Kara Housing Scheme; 26-year-old Cassandra McLennan of Kara Kara Housing Scheme; Leon Williams, 38, of Kara Kara Housing Scheme; 25-year-old Aubrey Fraser of Kara Kara Housing Scheme and 25-year-old Denzil Muir of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara.
While SOCU has not provided any details on the allegations made, they are asking anyone with information about the eight suspects to contact SOCU on telephone numbers (592) 225-3079 or (592) 225-3084.
The Guyana Police Force in a release explained that SOCU investigations are confidential, hence the decision to not provide additional information on the wanted persons or the alleged offences.
Only a few months ago Police issued a wanted bulletin for Shamar Anphaney Barrow of Lot 55 Freeman Street, Georgetown, for questioning in connection to money laundering and other serious criminal offences. It is still unclear if the man was ever found.
These wanted bulletins come in the wake of a recent statement by Attorney General Anil Nandlall that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) wants to intensify cooperation with Guyana to secure more convictions in a range of crimes including money-laundering and trafficking of narcotics.
According to Nandlall, the FBI team also listed countering the financing of terrorism, trafficking of narcotics and firearms, tracing the proceeds of organised crime and forfeiture of assets, trafficking in persons, and cyber-related criminal activities, as other areas of cooperation with Guyana.
Earlier this month, a three-person family of Somerset Court, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, was slapped with a raft of money laundering charges.
Arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, as they attempted to flee to the United States of America, they are facing 268 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money worth over $4.1B.
Those charged were Kenneth Kellawan Ramnarine, a taxi driver; his son Damian Brandon Ramnarine, a salesman; and Kenneth’s reputed wife Yevette Nalini Saroop, a businesswoman.
The father and son were charged jointly, while Saroop, who is alleged to have conspired with them, has been charged separately.
Kenneth Kellawan Ramnarine appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and was remanded to prison after being read 134 indictable charges to which he was not required to enter a plea.
Damian Brandon Ramnarine did not appear in court with his father and/or stepmother. His lawyer, Bernard DaSilva, who is also representing his parents, surrendered him to SOCU’s Camp Street, Georgetown Headquarters on February 9. When he appeared in court he too was remanded. (G9)