Couple charged in alleged re – migrant scam makes first Court appearance

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The re – migrant couple, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan appeared today (Thursday, January 08), in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges of falsely declaring two luxury vehicles and aiding and abetting with each other to fraudulently evade import duties on the two vehicles, payable to the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The elderly couple, who were jointly charged, pleaded not guilty to all charges that were read to them by Magistrate Judy Latchman. It is alleged that the couple, who imported the two Lexus LX 570 motor vehicles via the re-migrant scheme, falsely declared it to the worth of US$44, 158 each and fraudulently evaded import duties.

The Brijnanans were placed on their own recognizance and will return to Court on February 06 for report and fixtures.

Their Attorney, Robin Hunt told the Court that the senior citizens who once lived in the United States returned to Guyana and were living with their son at Continental Park, East Bank Demerara.

He added that when the charges were instituted against them, they were abroad seeking medical attention and returned in December 2014. Hunt said while they were not served with a Court Order, they decided to attend the hearing to show their interest in the matter.

He made a submission for self-bail, reasoning that the elderly couple was not a flight risk. The Prosecution did not object.

The tax regulatory body is claiming that re – migrant couple, of Number 61 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, had imported two Lexus LX 570 motor vehicles into Guyana.

However, the two vehicles were not kept or used by them and Gharbassi reportedly does not have a driver’s licence. This is in breach of the Customs Act and the conditions of the grant of the duty-free concession.

GRA had noted that investigations revealed that the vehicles were being driven by Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and his wife.

The Vehicles were seized and charges were later instituted on the four for knowingly committing fraudulent evasion of import duties.