Outgoing passenger busted with raw gold at CJIA, fined $100K

An outgoing Guyanese passenger was intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, on Thursday with a quantity of raw gold, and was fined $100,000.
The yellow metal substance was reportedly discovered during routine screening. According to the Police, the raw gold was found concealed in the hand luggage of a 44-year-old Guyanese male, who was an outgoing passenger on a Caribbean Airlines flight.
Customs officials were subsequently contacted and took possession of the suspected raw gold, which was weighed and amounted to 0.556 grams.
The passenger was subsequently fined $100,000, after which he was permitted to board his flight.
Only last week, Police and customs officials said that they were investigating the discovery of over four ounces of raw gold during separate screening procedures at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.
A total of 4.157 ounces (oz) of raw gold was discovered in the possession of two American citizens who were preparing to leave Guyana for New York, United States.
Police said that at about 21:25h on October 25, a quantity of raw gold was found concealed inside a hair-cutting machine in a brown pouch belonging to a 39-year-old American man.
The man was an outgoing passenger destined for New York when the discovery was made during screening.
Some 22 minutes later, at about 21:47h, another quantity of raw gold was discovered concealed in the handbag of a 62-year-old American woman, who was also scheduled to travel to New York.
Customs officials were contacted following both discoveries, and the raw gold was weighed in the presence of the respective passengers, Police said.
The quantity found in the man’s possession amounted to 3.048 oz, while 1.109 oz was found in the woman’s handbag.
Both passengers, along with the gold, were subsequently handed over to Customs officials for further investigation.
The latest discoveries come several months after a Canadian-based Guyanese Pilot was detained at CJIA after 0.563 oz of raw gold was found in his luggage while he was preparing to travel to Toronto, Canada.
The Pilot was detained in late May following the discovery and was questioned about the required documentation for exporting the mineral. He reportedly indicated that he did not have the relevant documents.
Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement) Wendall Blanhum had subsequently said in June that no further legal proceedings would be pursued against the Pilot after he paid the required fine.
Blanhum said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), after reviewing the case file and noting that the fine had been paid, recommended that no further proceedings be instituted.
The latest incident also follows the discovery of more than 15 oz of raw gold at CJIA in March, which led to the arrest of a Canadian couple.