Chinese national suspected to be part of gold smuggling ring charged with overstaying in Guyana
Charged: Zhong Jin Ziang
Zhong Jin Ziang, a 34-year-old customer service representative, was on Thursday charged with the offence of ‘Overstaying of Person in Guyana’.
She was arrested on Monday during an investigation into a major money laundering and gold smuggling operation in Guyana, and appeared before Grove/Diamond Magistrate Judy Latchman, before whom she pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her.
She has been placed on bail in the sum of $60,000, and the matter has been transferred to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for calling on August 14, 2024.
The charge stemmed from an investigation ongoing by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) into money laundering and gold smuggling operations within and outside of Guyana. This allegation involves Chinese nationals.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Ziang entered Guyana from Suriname on September 7, 2023, and on her arrival at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle, she was issued a visitor’s visa and granted a one-month stay in the country. However, she started working at a Travel Service in Georgetown, thereby overstaying her time in the country.
The Special Organised Crime Unit are continuing their Investigations into the money laundering and gold smuggling operations. This charge comes more than a week after three Chinese nationals were arrested during an inter-agency intelligence operation at a city hotel. That operation led to the seizure of $39 million and one unlicensed 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of matching ammunition.
According to the police, the suspects (two males and one female) were part of a transnational criminal group involved in gold smuggling and other illegal activities.
The female suspect, Ying Xin Su, has since been charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm. She appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess and pleaded not guilty to the charge. The 30-year-old travel agent has been remanded to prison, and the case will continue on July 22.
