THE Special, Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Thursday said it will be appealing the March 31 decision of Magistrate Annette Singh to uphold a no-case submission and dismiss the charges against Chinese Ying Xin Su, of China.

The charges alleged that on July 9, 2024, during a search conducted by members of the Guyana

Police Force at rooms occupied by the defendant at the Princess Ramada International Hotel,

Providence, East Bank Demerara, investigators discovered approximately GY$52M together with substantial sums in foreign currency and documents relating to her properties.

In a press release, SOCU said during the course of the trial, the prosecution attempted to tender several pieces of material evidence, including a Financial Analyst’s Report, a video-audio recorded interview with the defendant, and other documentary evidence considered critical to proving the prosecution’s case. However, the magistrate refused to admit these critical exhibits which ought to have been properly admitted under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.

The unit said it had contended at the time that there was no legal basis for the magistrate to exclude any of these pieces of evidence which materially affected the state’s ability to prove its full case before the court.

During the course of the trial the prosecution was further ordered to close its case prematurely by

the magistrate, notwithstanding that there remained three available witnesses with material

evidence yet to be led and were present in court.

“SOCU is of the view that the magistrate erred in law and was unreasonable among other things, and the decision of the court could not be supported, having regard to the evidence that was being led and the prevailing circumstances at the time.

“SOCU is currently taking steps to appeal the decision of the court and is of the view that there is

a realistic prospect of success on appeal.

“Further, civil asset recovery and forfeiture proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and

Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act in relation to the cash, vehicles, and properties are

being pursued by SOCU,” the release said.