Two Brazilian nationals are in Police custody following their arrests during a gold smuggling operation in the Lethem region on Wednesday. A large quantity of gold and G$26 million in cash have also been seized by the Police.

The arrest of 42-year-old Albina Filho Vieira and 39-year-old Erizangela De Olivera took place during a major intelligence led joint operation that was led by the Special Organised Crime Unit. The two suspects are assisting the Police with the ongoing investigations, a statement from the Police said.

According to the Head of SOCU, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, SOCU officers were able to disrupt the smuggling operation before the gold could be moved across the border to Brazil.

The Police said the operation serves as a warning to individuals and groups engaged in such illegal activities that Law Enforcement agencies remain vigilant and proactive in their enforcement efforts.

This latest crackdown follows a similar enforcement action in July last year at the Ramada Princess Hotel when officials responded to intelligence on illegal gold smuggling resulting in the arrest of three Chinese nationals.

In that incident, two searches resulted in the discovery of over $50 million (Guyana dollars) in cash, money-counting machines and an illegal firearm.

Investigations are continuing with a view of prosecution.

Related posts:

Six Brazilians in custody over illegal gold mining in Potaro area Chinese nationals arrested in hotel with $39M in cash and unlicensed firearm Berbice men arrested in GRA rum smuggling bust; Boat seized Brazilians, Haitians and Guyanese arrested during police raid in Lethem that found ammunition and marijuana