…unable to verify claim senior official linked to recent seized vessel
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Friday during his post-Cabinet press conference was unable to confirm or deny speculation that a senior Government official is linked to the recent seized vessel as he reassured the public that the matter of fuel smuggling was actively engaging the attention of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
The Minister expressing confidence in the capabilities of the agencies in the
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
campaign against fuel smuggling, reminded of the scope of Guyana’s borders. He noted that while it was difficult to patrol every square inch, there were protective measures such as the fuel marking system. “From time to time, vessels will actually come into the country with contraband items, it is important, however, once they come to a port that we are able to inspect, once it is determined these items are contraband that the Revenue Authority does what it has to do,” he stated. It was announced by GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia at an April 24, 2018 press conference that the agency had launched an extensive investigation to determine the prior movements of MV Jubilee that was caught last weekend with undeclared fuel.
