The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the police force, today secured convictions in cases it instituted against a 44-year-old businessman for attempting to bribe a rank of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and exporting gold without a license.
The man, Vibert Marks of Lot 95 Independence Street La Grange, Lot 16 Hibiscus Park Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara and 75 Bedford Avenue, and East Hartford Connecticut USA, was today found guilty of the charges by Senior Magistrate Faith McGusty following a trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Marks was given a one year suspended sentence and fined $50,000 for attempting to bribe the CANU rank. He was ordered to pay a fine of $75,000 for exporting gold without a license. SOCU has since forfeited the gold.
On November 18, 2019 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), he had in his possession a quantity of raw gold amounting to 974.13 grams, which is said to be valued at $7.3M, when he was not the holder of an export license. It was previously reported that on the day in question, Mark was an outgoing passenger at the CJIA on a flight destined for the USA.
Upon checking his suitcase, a CANU rank observed a darkish object inside. Marks told the law enforcement officer that it was just 20 ounces of gold. When the CANU rank attempted to examine the gold, Marks attempted to bribe him. The rank refused the bribe and reported the matter to his superiors.
Marks was arrested and charged; he had been released on $200,000 bail pending trial.
