Two Brazilians attempting to smuggle gold nabbed by SOCU; $26M seized

The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday apprehended two Brazilian nationals allegedly involved in an illegal gold smuggling attempt.

The two Boa Vista, Brazil residents, 42-year-old Albina Filho Alves Viera and 39-year-old Elisangela Regia De Olivera, were detained by SOCU during a gold smuggling attempt.

In a release, SOCU said a “large quantity of gold” and over $26 million cash were seized. The Brazilians are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Head of SOCU Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, was quoted as saying that SOCU officers were able to disrupt the smuggling operation before the gold could be moved across the border, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling transnational crimes and protecting the nation’s valuable resources.

“The operation also serves as a warning to individuals and groups engaged in such illicit activities that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant and proactive in their enforcement efforts,” SOCU said.

This latest crackdown follows a similar enforcement action in July last year at the Ramada Princess Hotel when officials responded to intelligence on illegal gold smuggling resulting in the arrest of three Chinese nationals.

In that incident, two searches resulted in the discovery of over $50 million in cash,  money-counting machines, and an illegal firearm.