ZHONG Jin Ziang, a 34-year-old Chinese national and customer service representative was Friday arraigned for the offence of overstaying her time in Guyana.
She appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. She pleaded not guilty and was placed on $60,000 bail.
The case was transferred to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for August 14, 2024.

The offence is contrary to Section 34(1)(l) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 14:02.
Police headquarters said that Zhong Jin Ziang was arrested on July 15, 2024, during an investigation into a major money laundering and gold smuggling operation in Guyana.
The charge against her stemmed from an ongoing investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)—an arm of the police force—concerning money laundering and gold smuggling operations within and out of Guyana, allegedly involving Chinese nationals.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Zhong Jin Ziang entered Guyana from Suriname on September 7, 2023, and on her arrival at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), she was issued a visitor’s visa and granted one month’s stay in the country.
However, she started working at a local travel service and overstayed her time in Guyana.
Investigations are continuing into the money laundering and gold smuggling operations.