A BUSINESSWOMAN accused of failing to declare more than GY$9M to custom officials while at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Tracyann Todd, 35, of Robb Street, Lacytown, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on May 4, 2017 at CJIA, Timehri she brought into Guyana US$44,685 and failed to declare the money to custom officials at the airport.
The woman’s lawyer, Glenn Hanoman told the court that his client supplies hardware and construction materials to St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore objected to the businesswoman being released on bail and stated that she is a flight risk.
Moore revealed to the court that the money was found in empty post cards which was concealed among clothes in Todd’s luggage.
Guyana’s exchange laws require persons to declare any currency in excess of US$10,000. Customs is empowered to seize only large sums of currency equivalent to more than US$10,000 at the airport.
The Chief Magistrate overruled the prosecution’s objection and released the businesswoman on $150,000 bail. The matter was transferred to City Magistrate Leron Daly for May 25, 2017.
