…defendants plead guilty, say they’re sorry for buying illegal fuel
ADDING to the growing number of successful conclusions of matters over the past months, the Guyana Energy Agency(GEA), represented by in-house Prosecutor, Shivani Balcharan, has secured two more convictions in its continued fight against fuel smuggling. On May 30, 2012, Phillip Orin Roopnauth and Reywattie Ketwaru, both of Hogg Island, opted to change their pleas to guilty. Persistent efforts of the GEA inspectors had led to the discovery of illegal fuel on the defendants’ premises. Subsequently, they were charged with being in possession of illegal petroleum, contrary to the Guyana Energy Agency Act.
Subsequent to defence counsel indicating that his clients were remorseful for purchasing fuel from illegitimate sources, Magistrate Leron Daley imposed a fine of $50,000 on each defendant.
To date, the fuel-marking programme has convicted 15 persons for a total of 18 offences, three of which led to guilty pleas.
At the end of May 2012, there were 19 ongoing prosecutions. It is anticipated that the success of the GEA in discovering and identifying illegal fuel and successfully prosecuting offenders will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in the purchase, storage, sale, and transport of illegal petroleum and petroleum products.

The GEA wishes to remind persons that when smugglers engage in illegal trade, they evade taxes and rob their fellow citizens, since they divert the revenue that was intended for the development of the country to their own selfish needs,” a GEA statement said yesterday.
“GEA remains rigid in its stance against fuel smuggling and continues to intensify its enforcement operations in this regard. The GEA encourages all persons who may have information relating to fuel smuggling and possession of illegal fuel to contact the Agency at 226-0394 or 624-5905.