TWO former soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and a businessman were, on Thursday, released on $300,000 bail each, after they were accused of swindling over $745 million worth of fuel from the army.

Terry Milling, 35, of South Cummings Lodge, Georgetown and Delon Wilson, 34, of Kuru Kurwru, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, both former soldiers, and Gangadeo Sridat, a 48-year-old businessman of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, appeared jointly before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Grove/Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Particulars of the charge alleged that between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2020, at Guyoil Terminal, Providence, East Bank Demerara, the trio conspired together with others to commit a felony by stealing fuel belonging to GDF valued $745,559,430.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charge and were each released on $300,000 bail. The matter was adjourned until January 27, 2022.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that during the time in question, Milling and Wilson were employed by GDF and were in charge of procuring the fuel. However, after an audit was done, it was revealed that the GDF did not receive the fuel, which amounted to over $745,000,000.

According to information from the Auditor General’s Report of 2019, the GDF had severe shortcomings with respect to the purchase, reconciliation and shortage of fuel. In this regard, 887,800 litres of fuel, valuing $181,567,000, were uplifted by an unauthorised vehicle.

This included 26 instances where 2,000 gallons of gasoline was uplifted for the Coast Guard Headquarters, Ruimveldt, even though the storage capacity at this location was only 1,000 gallons.

“At the time of reporting, the matter was being investigated by the Guyana Police Force and the Military Intelligence Department of the Guyana Defence Force,” the audit report outlined.