SOCU moving ahead with 240 fraud, money laundering charges against ACP Brutus

The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) is reportedly proceeding with 240 fraud and money laundering charges against Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus.
According to reports, police ranks visited Brutus’s residence at Eve Leary on Wednesday.
This development follows reports that the Director of Public Prosecutions has given SOCU the green light to move forward with the charges.
However, the Head of Corporate Communications of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday evening informed journalists that SOCU has not disclosed any information regarding the advice received from the DPP.
This publication has since confirmed that SOCU ranks had sought a meeting with the DPP for which certain matters were discussed, and ranks left with their files.
Brutus is at the centre of a major financial crime investigation which stemmed from the alleged discovery of over $800 million in assets under his control, both in properties and bank accounts shared with his wife, the former Adonika Aulder. This investigation being led by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has drawn intense scrutiny, particularly as it involves a high-ranking police official.

The investigation began in July 2024, when Brutus was placed on administrative leave after suspicions arose regarding financial irregularities. Initially linked to the Police Force s Credit Union, the investigation quickly expanded following information provided by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Assistant Police Commissioner Brutus assets include $300 million in properties and $500 million across joint bank accounts with his wife. As a result, all of these accounts have been frozen, with the exception of his salary account.
As part of the case, it has been revealed that Brutus received monetary gifts from two individuals. These gifts included US$10,000 as a wedding present and $1,000,000 as a Christmas gift in 2023.

Relieved of position
During his weekly programme of Issues in the News, Attorney General Anil Nandlall indicated that Brutus will make history as the highest ranked officer to be implicated in a high volume of fraud.
Further, he noted that the cop, who is on administrative leave, will be relieved of his position once charged.
“Brutus will go down in history as perhaps the highest-ranked officer of the Guyana Police Force to be implicated in this volume of fraud. I believe that he will go down in the Caribbean as an officer of such rank to be implicated in this level of criminality,” Nandlall said on Tuesday evening.
The AG added, “Obviously, when the charges are instituted, steps will have to be taken by the relevant agencies, and in compliance with the relevant legal processes, to remove Mr Brutus from office.”
Nandlall said completion of the investigation contradicts comments by the Opposition that Brutus will be sheltered, and the probe will be dropped.
“Now they have seen the gravity of the situation and the amount of monies implicated and the number of charges and the Government did no such covering up, they still are critical of the Government. I don t know what else they expect, or what else they want from the Government,” the AG said.

High Court
Meanwhile, last week, Brutus filed an application in the High Court in which he claimed victimisation among other things. The respondents are SOCU, the Government, the Commissioner of Police, and others. On Friday last, Brutus also moved to the High Court to seek permission to leave the country to take his pregnant wife for medical attention overseas. However, the court rejected the application, stating that the court could not accept medical documents presented without proper evidence, and underlined the lack of sufficient justification for the trip. Further, the judge ruled that the application was premature, as Brutus had not yet requested permission from the Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, a mandatory step for public officials.
Meanwhile, speaking with the media after ranks left, Brutus said that the heavily-armed ranks told him that they were at his house to execute a search warrant.
“But I invited them, but just the person whose name is on the warrant. So, clearly they weren’t really too keen or interested, because they left. But I’m concerned about the level of force displayed here tonight.
“There’s no indication that I’m a flight risk. If I was a flight risk, then there are many options other than going to the official ports to get out of the compound. These routes that you can use.”
He added: “I intend to vigorously defend these matters. Because there’s clear evidence that what is happening is a matter of manipulation of evidence, fabrication of evidence. Just to make a case against me. I intend to defend all the evidences that are made…I’m concerned indeed for my safety and family. Yes, I’m concerned about it.”
He said that the ranks did not say what they were searching for nor was he informed.
“They didn’t specify, neither did they show me the warrant. No document was produced.”
He also said that he would continue to reside at the same location.