Forging ahead in its fight against fuel smuggling, the Guyana Energy Agency, represented by in house prosecutor, Shivani Balcharan, secured another conviction on June 11, 2012. 

Guilty of being in possession of fifty (50) gallons of illegal diesel is Rudolph Perreira of Grant Tranquil, Pomeroon River. Perreira was charged in May 2011 for possession of illegal petroleum and petroleum products contrary to the Guyana Energy Agency Act, after GEA inspectors diligently discovered the illegal fuel at a landing in Grant Paradise, Pomeroon River. 

The guilty verdict was handed down by Magistrate Leron Daley at the Charity Magistrates’ Court after the defendant admitted to purchasing the illegal fuel in Venezuela. The defendant was sentenced to pay a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or one year imprisonment. 

To date, seventeen (17) persons have been convicted for a total of twenty (20) offences. The discovery of the illegal fuel is indicative of the continued efforts by GEA in tandem with public co-operation in stamping out fuel smuggling. The growing realization of the dangers and consequences of engaging in illegal trade may be represented by the increasing number of convictions and reduced number of sites dealing in illegal petroleum and petroleum products. 

GEA continues to intensify its enforcement operations and encourages all persons who may have information relating to fuel smuggling and possession of illegal fuel to contact the Agency at 226-0394 or 624-5905.