Georgetown, February 2014:  On February 10th, 2014, Camille Marcus pleaded guilty to being in possession of illegal petroleum when she appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution alleged that on the 19th February, 2013 Inspectors from the GEA discovered approximately 24 gallons of gasoline at the defendant’s residence.  Lab analysis confirmed that the fuel did not contain the required concentration of fuel marker and was therefore illegal. Marcus accepted ownership of the fuel and admitted to the prosecution’s facts. . She claimed that the fuel was brought there by her husband who plies passengers to the North West District, a trade in which she assists him. 

In a stirring plea in mitigation, Ms. Marcus’ attorney said that the defendant was apologetic for what transpired and was not using the fuel for any personal gain.  Magistrate Scarce however rebutted this statement noting that the illegal fuel was used in the conduct of their business.  He sentenced her to pay a fine of $150,000 or in the alternative serve a term of 9 months imprisonment.

This marks the 27th conviction for the Fuel Marking Division of the GEA since the programme’s introduction in 2007. GEA remains committed in its efforts to combat fuel smuggling and continues to intensify its enforcement operations in this regard. The GEA 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.