Arrests for gold smugglers loom as intelligence operations intensify – Jagdeo warns

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in gold smuggling, stating that ongoing intelligence operations will result in arrests and legal action.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo emphasised that those caught will not be allowed to claim discrimination as a defense.
“There are several intelligence operations being done that hopefully would yield results… And it is from what we’ve been hearing, it’s a ring of people here in Georgetown too. I can tell you that there are operations against people who are buying gold at a price significantly above the world market price because they’re evading their government’s royalty and smuggling it into Brazil. I want to say to the people who are engaged in this, that when you get caught, there are several Brazilian nationals, but there are a few locals. When you get caught and charged with money laundering, don’t go and claim discrimination,” the vice president said.
Jagdeo reiterated that mining at Marudi Mountain is strictly reserved for Guyanese miners, primarily from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and not for Brazilian nationals.
According to the vice president, government has also been investigating illegal gold exports from Marudi Mountain, which are suspected to be part of a broader smuggling network.
Jagdeo also addressed concerns about the judiciary’s role in tackling gold smuggling, stating that law enforcement agencies are doing their part but need stronger judicial support.
“We know, we already know the names of some of the people who are buying the gold and paying this price because they’re evading it, they’re shipping it out. And it is, and you would see more enforcement action. We hope that, we can’t tell the judiciary what to do, but that people, that they see this as a serious matter too. Not for people to come out one day, they get apprehended, and two days later, they’re back doing the same thing. It’s a serious matter,” he urged.

Suspension
Meanwhile, Dr Jagdeo defended government’s suspension of the controversial mining license to Sol Nascente Incorporated for operations in Aranaputa, North Rupununi, stating that “should have never happened”.
“In terms of Aranaputa, that should have never happened. That’s why when the regional chairman called the president said that this took place, then the minister went and cancelled it. So, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs did not have to give permission to that because it is not Amerindian title lands. It’s an NDC. Aranaputa is an NDC, unlike the villages, Amerindian villages that fall under the Amerindian Act,” Jagdeo added.
The vice president’s comment comes days after Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, local communities, and environmental groups objected to the license, highlighting the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
The signing of the mining deal between Sol Nascente and the Aranaputa Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was witnessed by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai and a legal officer from that ministry. Details on the nature of mining operations remained scarce, raising further concerns among locals and environmental groups. Even media was not informed about the type of mining that Sol Nascente Incorporated will do.
However, on Tuesday, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat traveled to the region and met with concerned residents and officials before announcing the suspension of the license.
Allicock has since welcomed the decision but insisted that the suspension should be made permanent.