Two Brazilian nationals, a Cuban national and a Guyanese were arrested on Thursday as part of a major probe into a gold smuggling operation.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the Special Organised Crime Unit said the four were arrested as SOCU agents successfully intercepted an alleged gold smuggling attempt in an intelligence led operation. SOCU did not indicate where the operation took place.

SOCU said that based on credible intelligence, the operation was launched and the four were with a large quantity of gold valued over 30 million and over G$31 million in cash. The investigating officers also confiscated a quantity of electronic equipment.

SOCU said it sees the bust as a significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit gold smuggling.

According to Head of SOCU, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, the SOCU officers were able to disrupt the smuggling operation before the gold could be moved. He warned gold smugglers to “stop this illicit activity or they will face the full force of the law”.

The latest crackdown follows a similar enforcement action in March 5, 2025 at Lethem in Region 9, where two persons were arrested.

Investigations are continuing in the matter as charges are being prepared.

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