THE government’s growing actions against gold smuggling is a positive move. However, it needs to go much further to stop a few criminals from putting our entire mining sector and vital international relationships at risk.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has announced stronger charges against smugglers, which are necessary.
Currently, gold smuggling in Guyana has shifted from a local law enforcement problem to a global threat that could harm our economy.
When a single individual can “cripple the entire mining sector”, as President Ali indicated, we need to understand that this issue goes beyond tax evasion; that it concerns national security.
The government estimates that smuggling has cost Guyana over US$50 million in lost revenue, while the potential fallout from international sanctions could be far worse.
The Vice-President rightly points out the enforcement gap that allows smugglers to act without fear of consequence.

His call for tougher prosecutorial tools must be matched by stronger action from our judiciary, which often views these serious crimes as minor issues. When foreign nationals and local accomplices can get back to smuggling within days of arrest, we essentially give them a free pass to damage our economy.
This crisis is urgent because of its international impact. If our gold sector continues to be hit, every legitimate miner, ranging from small operators to large exporters, would face administrative challenges that could obliterate their livelihoods.

The government has taken important steps to combat this threat with intelligence-driven operations, and the formation of a multi-agency task force. Still, these efforts must continue and grow.
We need not only tougher penalties but also stricter border controls, better tracking technology, and stronger international cooperation to break down the complex networks behind gold smuggling.

Most importantly, we have to realise that gold smuggling is not without victims. It hurts our nation’s economic independence, and threatens the well-being of all Guyanese. The government’s message to legitimate miners is clear: Sell your gold legally, and you will have our full support.

At the same time, the message to smugglers must be just as clear: You will face the full weight of the law and the consequences of your actions.
The time for tolerance has ended. Guyana’s gold should benefit our nation, not criminal enterprises.