Gold Smuggling ring at CJIA: 4 slapped with money laundering charges

Four persons who had previously been charged and placed on bail for gold smuggling have been arraigned on money laundering charges instituted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
Saffee Ahmad, called ‘Chillo’, 58; Shameena Ahamad, 52; and Ashiana Salamalay, 33, all of Roraima Scheme at Versailles, West Bank Demerara (WBD); and Ian Jacobis, 44, of Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara (WCD), were on Friday arraigned before Diamond Magistrate Sunil Scarce, charged separately with the offence of money laundering.

These defendants were, however, not required to plead to the indictment, and they have each been placed on bail in the sum of $500,000, with the condition that Saffee Ahmad report to SOCU on the last Friday of every month until the determination of his matter.
These matters have been adjourned to 30th July, 2024.

RECAP

It has been reported that, on June 3, 2024, Customs Officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) who were on duty at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri seized several pieces of gold jewellery from Shameena Ahmad and Ashiana Salamalay (both of whom are US citizens), and Ian Jacobis after they were attempting to leave Guyana on an outbound American Airlines flight for New York.

The seizure was made after Shameena Ahmad, Ashiana Salamaly and Ian Jacobs attempted to smuggle approximately 240 ounces of raw gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery without having the necessary permits and making the necessary declarations to Customs officials.
The gold has been valued at over US$560,000 (G$117,001,604).
A parallel money laundering investigation was conducted by SOCU, and it resulted in the four accused being charged.