Essequibo businessman nabbed in sting operation while buying gold unlawfully

Essequibo businessman Tarique Deonarine was on Tuesday charged after he allegedly purchased gold in Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima- Waini) without the necessary documentation.

Deonarine, the proprietor of ‘T and J Transportation Services’ at Port Kaituma, and Windsor Castle, Essequibo Coast was charged on Monday with the offences of purchasing gold from a person other than the board or agent authorised by the board and possession of gold by a person not being a producer.

According to a release from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), ranks of the Guyana Police Force in collaboration with officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources conducted a sting operation and caught Deonarine purchasing the gold.

His business place was subsequently searched and 20.8 pennyweight gold, two smelting moulds, one smelting pot, and $897,000 in cash were found.

The matter was later handed over to SOCU for further investigation. The man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday before Magistrate Delon Bess where the charges were read to him and he pleaded not guilty.

He was placed on $60,000 bail on each of the charges and the matters were adjourned to May 10, for further hearing.