Miner charged for faking gold declaration statement, granted $200,000 bail

[www.inewsguyana.com] – A 31-year-old miner of Broad Street, Charlestown, was granted $200,000 bail on forgery and uttering a forged document charges in an bid to obtain duty-free concession.

Leroy Vanderhyen pleaded not guilty to both charges, which alleged that on April 12, 2013 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he forged one gold declaration statement in his name purporting to show that it was issued to him by Mohamed’s Enterprise.

The second charge alleged that on the same day, he uttered the forged document to an official at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, knowing same to be false.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant did not object to bail but asked that the man be placed on a substantial amount with conditions attached.

The Prosecutor said Mohamed Enterprise was contacted and he denied issuing any declaration, stating that he bought gold from the defendant. The Court heard that the defendant uttered the document with intent to obtain a duty free concession from the Ministry to purchase an ATV motorcycle.

He was represented by Attorney – at – Law, Jonas Coddett.  Vanderhyen was granted $100,000 bail on each charge on the grounds that he report to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Friday and the case will call again on March 21.