Jagdeo warns gold smugglers ‘full force of the law coming’

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said months of intelligence-led investigations have armed law enforcement bodies with enough information to crack down on gold smuggling and soon major smugglers will be apprehended.

Jagdeo said the recent seizure of 240 ounces of gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was just the first of many expected interventions.

This is so because local law enforcement bodies have seriously probed smuggling operations here. So the Vice President put smugglers on alert.

“If you’re doing this, desist from doing it because the full force of the law is coming.

“…. We know who you are, at least some of the key players, and the law enforcement agencies of the government are coming after you,” Jagdeo said at a press conference at the Office of the President in Georgetown.

Jagdeo also said he will be advocating for stiffer penalties for persons caught smuggling gold.

Last year, the Vice President revealed that concerns over the decline in local gold declarations led to the government opening a probe into possible gold smuggling. And he said once persons are caught, they would face serious penalties.