U.S. citizens among four charged with money laundering

Four persons on Friday appeared at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court, East Bank Demerara, charged separately with the offences of Money Laundering, in contravention of Section 3(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.

Police Headquarters reported that Saffee Ahmad called ‘Chillo’, 58; Shameena Ahamad, 52; Ashiana Salamalay, 33, all of 38 Roraima Scheme, Versailles, West Bank Demerara, and Ian Jacobis, 44, of 749 Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. They were not required to plea.

Bail was granted in the sum of $500,000 each, with the condition that Saffee Ahmad report to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on the last Friday of every month. The matter was adjourned to July 30, 2024.

According to the Police, on June 3, Customs Officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who were on duty at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, seized several pieces of gold jewellery from Shameena Ahmad and Ashiana Salamalay (both of whom are U.S citizens), and Ian Jacobis after they were attempting to leave Guyana on an outbound American Airlines flight for New York.

The seizure was made after Shameena, Ashiana and Ian were attempting to take out of the country approximately 240 ounces of virtually pure gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery without having the necessary permits and declaration to customs officials.

The gold is valued at over US$560,000 (GY$117,001,604). A parallel money laundering investigation was conducted by SOCU, resulting in the four accused being charged.