– assortment of booze includes 670 cases Heineken beer, 47 cases Smirnoff Vodka, 1 case Hennessy, and 23 bottles Johnnie Walker Black
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) last week seized $5M worth of alcoholic beverages, when officers from the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) intercepted motor vessel ‘MV Mr. John’ off the coast of Montrose, East Coast Demerara. The crew, which consisted of three Vincentians and one Guyanese, was detained and a search conducted. However, unconfirmed reports are that the nine persons held in connection with the booze bust have all been released on bail.

GRA, in a statement, said the international vessel which is registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines contained an assortment of alcoholic beverages which was also detained including: 670 cases Heineken beer, 47 cases Smirnoff Vodka, 1 case Hennessy, and 23 bottles Johnnie Walker Black.

Information received by the LEID officers after questioning the crew of the vessel indicated that they were to meet with a smaller vessel to discharge a quantity of alcoholic beverages that they were transporting. The smaller vessel, MV Amazing Grace was also detained. Investigations are continuing.

The GRA noted that the motor vessels it acquired to boost its anti-smuggling operation are proving to be an invaluable asset during these operations. The utilization of these vessels since their acquisition has significantly boosted the Guyana Revenue Authority’s capability to effectively combat smuggling in the riverine areas and along the coasts.

According to the GRA, the recent increase in seizures is a reflection of its commitment to investigate and detain persons guilty of tax evasion. Hence, the organisation said it has established a heavy LEID presence across the country. This move by the revenue authority has been reaping benefits and the agency has every intention of maintaining and intensifying its presence.

The GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division is mandated to combat smuggling activities and enforce the collection of revenue and is by law allowed to conduct investigations and seizures where there is suspicion of evasion of taxes.

Persons are encouraged to report any illegal activity that can compromise tax revenue collection on GRA’s intelligence hotline number 225-6687.