Canadian Pilot fined for raw gold transport at CJIA

Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement) Wendall Blanhum has indicated that no further legal proceedings will be pursued against the 48-year-old Canadian Pilot who was previously detained at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, in connection with the transporting of a quantity of raw gold.
The Canadian-based Guyanese Pilot was taken into custody in late May of 2026 following the discovery of a quantity of raw gold at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri. According to reports, at about 02:45h, Police and customs officials intercepted the outgoing passenger during screening procedures at CJIA.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the raw gold was found in the luggage of the Pilot, who was an outgoing passenger destined for Toronto, Canada. Upon the discovery, he was questioned about the relevant documents to export the mineral, but he responded in the negative. As such, he was detained, and the raw gold was weighed in his presence, amounting to 0.563 ounces.
Responding to questions from reporters on the issue on Thursday, Blanhum said that the Pilot paid the required fine after attempting to depart the airport with the gold.
“As far as I’m aware, he would have paid the necessary fine for attempting to leave the airport with that amount of gold, and as a result, the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended no further proceeding against him,” Blanhum stated.
When asked whether the fine had been paid without the matter passing through the court system, Blanhum explained that the Guyana Police Force acted on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He noted that the DPP has the authority to determine whether charges should be instituted and that, after reviewing the case file, a decision was made not to proceed further.
“The DPP has the power to state who is to be charged and who is not to be charged. Having perused the file, which disclosed that the Pilot paid the money or the fine, the DPP decided that we should not proceed any further,” he said.
Back in March, over 15 ounces of raw gold were found during routine screening at the CJIA, Timehri, thus leading to the arrest of a Canadian couple.