In a major intelligence-led joint operation conducted on Wednesday afternoon at Lethem, Region 9, Officers of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) successfully disrupted an illegal gold smuggling attempt. Acting on intelligence, SOCU officers detained two Brazilian nationals and seized a large quantity of gold and over $26 million (Guyana dollars) in cash.
Arrested are Albina Filho Alves Vieira, 42, of 55 Boa Vista Brazil, and Erizangela Regia De Olivera, a 39-year-old female Brazilian national. The two are currently assisting with investigations.
According to Head of SOCU Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, 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, the Police Force 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 (Guyana dollars) in cash, money-counting machines and an illegal firearm.
