Atlantic Fuels Director released on $300k bail over false declaration to GRA

A representative for Atlantic Fuels was this morning charged and released on $300,000 bail for making a false declaration to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Atlantic Fuels Inc is owned by Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporation, and a prominent supporter of the APNU/AFC Coalition.

The fuel company was granted its import/export license in 2016.

This is not the first time the fuel company has been accused of breaching the Customs Act. In fact, in 2019, the company was under investigation by GRA for falsifying invoices.

Director of the company, Eugene Gilbert was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Gilbert pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 12, 2020, at GRA’s Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, headquarters, he caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to GRA, to with invoice number 100 for customs declaration reference number GY 410C.

GRA alleges that this was in contrary to Section 217(1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 18:01.

The complaint was made by the Commissioner-General of GRA Godfrey Statia. Gilbert was represented by Attorney-at-Law Stand Dhurjon, while the matter was prosecuted by a representative of the GRA enforcement arm. 

The matter was adjourned to February 1, 2021, for statements.