A Brazilian national, Osmil Costa Da Silva, was today charged and placed before the court for illegal gold possession.
Da Silva, who operates a business in Guyana at 111 Mile Mahdia, Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni), was arrested on Wednesday during a joint intelligence-led operation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) – the white collar arm of the Guyana Police Force.
He was slapped a ‘Possession of Gold by Person not being a Producer’ charge, pursuant to the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01.
Da Silva appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court #1 before Her Worship, acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the charge was read to him, and he pleaded not guilty.
He was placed on $75,000 bail. The matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court, and the next court date is June 20, 2025.
It was previously reported that a substantial quantity of raw gold and cash valued over $17 million were seized during Wednesday’s operation at Da Silva’s business place, Filhao Shop in Central Mahdia.
Head of SOCU, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, had said his officers were able to disrupt an alleged illegal smuggling operation before the gold could be moved across the border.
This incident also adds to a growing list of cases involving Brazilian nationals operating unlawfully within Guyana’s gold-mining regions
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