Bank of Guyana (BoG) sources have confirmed that the accounts of all active gold dealers are intact. In fact, no local commercial banking institution has been ordered to severe ties with any dealer.
It is all “hearsay”, a well-placed BoG source told the Guyana Standard on Wednesday.
The confirmation comes even as sections of the media report that a local gold dealer’s accounts have been ordered closed following U.S. intervention. The businessman is reportedly being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for gold-smuggling and other nefarious activities.
The development comes on the heels of major internal and external clampdown of gold smuggling involving Guyanese businessmen, since the eruption of the Mohamed’s scandal last month, shaking the foundation of one of the country’s most powerful families.
Days later, the BOG red-pencilled the cambio licence held by the Mohamed’s family following the U.S sanctions placed on Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, his son Azruddin and a former high-ranking government functionary, Mae Toussaint.
By June 20, nine days after the sanctions were imposed, the Guyana Government parted ways with the Mohammeds.
“Everything is suspended, all transactions with the Gold Board and everything is suspended,” the President, Dr Irfaan Ali had told reporters at a press conference at State House.
