Sattaur cites collusion, falsification of documents in drug shipment
…notes probe still ongoing
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Khurshid Sattaur says the probe into the cocaine find in Jamaica, which originated at the John Fernandes wharf, is ongoing, but notes, having preliminary information that, if exposed, would shock some. He was speaking to this newspaper yesterday during an interview with regard to the investigations to ascertain how the Vega Azurit, a cargo vessel that plies the Caribbean, was able to depart Guyana with cocaine stashed in one of its containers.
On Wednesday at Port Bustamante in Kingston Jamaica, Jamaica Customs seized 122.65 kilogrammes of cocaine with a street value of $700 million.
According to the Jamaica Observer, the Jamaica Customs seized the narcotics cache after a routine examination of the transhipment vessel. Up to Wednesday, Jamaica Customs said in a statement that no arrests had been made in relation to the find. However, according to the Observer, the Customs authorities said that a determination was made that the drugs were indeed destined for Jamaica. The Observer report said that the packages were handed over to the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for further examination and investigation.
Sattaur said that there might be agents outside of the GRA that are colluding with the staff of the GRA. “We will unearth and expose…it may surprise persons to know who is involved,” said the GRA Commissioner General. “I am still examining the facts and I will soon pronounce on [them],” he declared.
He said that from reports, the shipment was loaded at an outside facility and Customs Enforcement officers carried out part of the exercise. “It is very strange that the container was not within the set examined as noted in the documentation. There appears to be some alteration of the documents…the entries were altered,” he said.
However, he took issue with what he called the unfair mis-characterisation of the GRA in relation to the unfolding of events.
“Everyone is jumping and blaming the GRA without ascertaining the facts. There are many entities involved in the shipping: the agents, the GFC, the wharf…many actors,” he said.
According to Sattaur, the GRA has its hands full and cannot possibly examine every container. “We do risk profiling to determine whose container is examined…from all indications, the GRA did its work,” he said. “We are satisfied that we followed procedure.”
This newspaper attempted to speak to Commissioner of Forests James Singh on the GFC’s role with regard to inspections of all lumber shipments. However, these attempts were futile.
This newspaper approached Managing Director of John Fernandes, Chris Fernandes, for a comment, but his secretary directed Guyana Chronicle to speak to the authorised shipping agent for the Vega Azurit C&V Shipping.
When this newspaper visited C&V Shipping’s office on Laluni Street, a desk staff said that no senior management personnel was on hand to speak with Guyana Chronicle. However, the person made available a cell number for someone she said “can speak with you.”
Dialling the number made available, the person on the other end refused to comment.