SOCU appeals Magistrate’s ruling in $52M money laundering case

Three days after Magistrate Annette Singh dismissed money laundering charges against Chinese national Ying XinSu, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is taking steps to appeal the decision.
The accused was represented by attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat, who made a no-case submission in a matter that was upheld by the presiding Magistrate in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
According to SOCU, the charges alleged that on July 9, 2024, during a search conducted by members of the Guyana Police Force at rooms occupied by the defendant at the Princess Ramada International Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara, investigators discovered approximately $52 million, with substantial sums in foreign currency and documents relating to her properties.
However, during the trial, the prosecution attempted to tender several pieces of material evidence, including a financial analyst report, a video-audio recorded interview with the defendant, and other documentary evidence considered critical to proving the prosecution’s case.
The Magistrate refused to admit these as critical exhibits, which ought to have been properly admitted under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.
In a release to the media, SOCU contended at the time that there was no legal basis for the Magistrate to exclude any of this evidence, which materially affected the state’s ability to prove its full case before the court.
During the trial, the prosecution was further ordered to close its case prematurely by the Magistrate, notwithstanding that there were three available witnesses with material evidence to present in court.
“SOCU is of the view that the Magistrate erred in law and was unreasonable, among other things, and the decision of the court could not be supported with regard to the evidence being led and the prevailing circumstances at the time,” SOCU stated on Thursday.
As such, the unit stated that it is currently taking steps to appeal the decision of the court and is of the view that there is a realistic prospect of success on appeal.
“Furthermore, civil asset recovery and forfeiture proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act in relation to the cash, vehicles, and properties are being pursued by SOCU,” the release added.