Charged: Ivan Anthony Scipio
Fifty-two-year-old Ivan Anthony Scipio, a US citizen from Durban Street, Georgetown was Thursday charged for exporting gold without the relevant documentation.
Scipio was arrested on July 3, 2024, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport as he was attempting to smuggle several pieces of gold jewellery and raw gold to the tune of $6.7 million.
Upon questioning, Scipio failed to make a ‘customs declaration’ to Customs Officials, as well as produce the necessary licences to legally export gold.
During the investigation, it was proved that Scipio has been allegedly involved in this racket for some time now since there is a link showing that he allegedly made several exports previously but was not caught.
However, he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was grant $800,000 bail with the condition that he report to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) the last Friday of every month until the determination of the matter.
He is expected to return to court on August 19 where possible money laundering charges will be instituted against him.
Back in June, Shameena Ahamad, 52; and Ashiana Salamalay, 33, of Roraima Scheme at Versailles, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and Ian Jacobis, 44, of Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara (WCD), were charged with attempting to smuggle 240 ounces of raw gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery estimated at US$560,000 (G$117,001,604).
It has been reported that, on June 3, 2024, Customs Officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) who were on duty at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri seized several pieces of gold jewellery from Shameena Ahmad and Ashiana Salamalay (both of whom are US citizens), and Ian Jacobis after they were attempting to leave Guyana on an outbound American Airlines flight for New York.
Later in the month, US based, Guyanese businessman, Saffee Ahmad also of Roraima Scheme at Versailles, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was charged for his involvement in the matter. They were each granted $600,000 bail.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the quartet were arraigned on money laundering charges instituted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). In this matter, they were each placed on $500,000 and the matter will be called up again on July 20.
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