Four Charged for Money Laundering
Four individuals have been charged with money laundering by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in connection with a gold smuggling ring uncovered at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Saffee Ahmad, also known as ‘Chillo,’ 58, Shameena Ahmad, 52, Ashiana Salamalay, 33, all of 38 Roraima Scheme, Versailles, West Bank Demerara, and Ian Jacobis, 44, of 749 Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara, were separately charged with money laundering.
The accused appeared before His Worship Sunil Scarce at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.
They were not required to enter pleas and were each granted bail of $500,000. Saffee Ahmad was ordered to report to SOCU on the last Friday of every month. The case was adjourned to July 30, 2024.
On June 3, 2024, Customs Officers from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) seized several pieces of gold jewelry from Shameena Ahmad, Ashiana Salamalay (both US citizens), and Ian Jacobis as they attempted to board an outbound American Airlines flight to New York.
The individuals were found with approximately 240 ounces of nearly pure gold disguised as silver-plated jewelry, valued at over US$560,000 (GYD$117,001,604).
The seizure was made because they lacked the necessary permits and declarations for the gold.
SOCU conducted a parallel money laundering investigation, which led to the charges against the four accused.
