GRA officers ambushed, boat with smuggled goods taken away, four arrested

Last Updated on Saturday, 15 November 2025, 10:05 by Writer

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Friday said a group of persons ambushed four of its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) officers and took away a boat with smuggled goods aboard, but four persons have since been arrested.

“While the vessel and its contents were being escorted to a designated facility in the vicinity of No# 43 village, Berbice, for processing, the officers were ambushed by a group of men who forcefully retrieved the vessel and seized items,” the GRA said in a statement.

According to the GRA, efforts were ongoing to locate the vessel and its contents.

GRA said the LEID officers were attacked at about 4 o’clock on Thursday morning by alleged smugglers during an intelligence driven enforcement operation in the vicinity of No. 61 Village, Berbice.

During the operation, the GRA said customs enforcement officers had intercepted a large wooden motor vessel conveying a significant quantity of uncustomed goods which included alcoholic beverages, and detained same along with the persons found on board.

The four persons were subsequently arrested, according to the GRA, “through swift collaboration with other sister agencies including ranks of the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit.” The perpetrators have since been arrested and will face prosecution to the full extent of the law for their actions.

The GRA again remind the public of its “zero tolerance” approach to smuggling and anyone who attempts to import or export goods with intent to defraud the revenue agency of any duties is guilty of an offence and is liable to penalties and/or imprisonment in accordance with Section 218 of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.

The GRA pleads with the general public to report any illicit, unlawful or smuggling activities on telephone number 227-6060, extensions 3201, 3204, 3205, 3206, 3211, 3212, or 3408. All information provided will be dealt with in strict confidentiality and such persons may be rewarded in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.