A trial date is set to be confirmed on November 13, 2024, in the ongoing case involving ExxonMobil (Guyana) and Ramps Logistics (Guyana), who are accused of submitting false declarations to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The charges stem from an alleged overinflation of a customs declaration for oil well equipment, which the companies valued at over US$12.1 billion, compared to the actual value of US$4.4 million.
Both companies have pleaded not guilty to the charges under Section 217(1)(c) of the Customs Act.
They were granted self-bail following their court appearance in May 2024, with Senior Magistrate Leron Daly presiding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The case follows a GRA investigation revealing significant discrepancies in the customs declaration filed in November 2023. Ramps Logistics, acting on behalf of ExxonMobil, initially submitted the inflated invoice, which led to the charges.
Ramps Logistics has blamed the inaccurate data on ExxonMobil’s KABAL system, while ExxonMobil has cited a “clerical error” made by its former broker, Ramps Logistics.
This is not the first legal issue between Ramps Logistics and the GRA. In 2022, Ramps was fined $20 million for customs law violations. Additionally, the company faced 10 charges related to false declarations, which were dismissed in April 2023 by Magistrate Dylon Bess following a successful no-case submission by Ramps’ legal team.
The upcoming trial will determine the outcome of the current charges.
