Having legislation in place is the first step, but the investigative capacity is even more critical in building cases and prosecuting persons in relation to money laundering.This is according to the US Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, who in a recent interview, said that the political opposition in Guyana has raised a good point in that while there is a structure in place, there needs to be adequate investigation.According to Ambassador Hardt, the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Finance alone would not solve the problem of money laundering in Guyana, given that all it is required to do is receive information.US Ambassador to Guyana Brent HardtHe said that the Financial Intelligence Unit receives the information and as such knows what is happening in Guyana,Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys, but what is required is a “strong investigative arm.”Ambassador Hardt suggests that this investigative arm to deal with money laundering would need specialized training and would have to draw on personnel from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) among others.The Ambassador said that Guyana does have some serious challenges in relation to money laundering but having the legislative framework in place is not enough.He said that with an investigative arm in place they will be able to take the information being garnered by the Intelligence Unit, put it together and build cases.Hardt said that the US Treasury Department has been working with the Ministry of Finance to build capacity.The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Guyana is an autonomous body responsible for requesting,Cheap Jerseys, receiving, analyzing and disseminating of suspicious transaction reports and other information relating to money laundering,Cheap NFL Jerseys Online, terrorist financing or the proceeds of crime.It was established and operates within the ambit of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 and its Regulations.Its mandate is to facilitate the detection,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and financing of terrorist activity in Guyana.Guyana is currently moving to amend its Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Laws as a result of urgings by the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFATF).According to Roger Hernandez, Financial Advisor of CFATF, during a telephone interview with this publication, amendments to the legislation have to be passed in the National Assembly and enacted before August 26, so that it could be submitted and analyzed.He said that Guyana has to comply with the CFATF requirements by November 2013 – the date assigned this year for follow-up. However, the Act and other documentation must be submitted prior to November.Hernandez said that this was highlighted in a letter dated June 13, 2013, that was sent to Paul Geer,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Guyana’s Ministry of Finance.According to the letter, Guyana has to submit along with a matrix outlining what the country has done since the last Plenary meeting in May 2013, copies of any legislation, regulations, or guidance notes that may have been enacted as part of action undertaken to comply with the Mutual Evaluation Report’s recommendations.The letter also requests information on the size of the financial sector as at end of June 2013 or the date nearest and any technical assistance received,Wholesale Jerseys China, requested or obtained during the first half of 2013.

While some detainees were pleading to be placed on bail for the Christmas season,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, one prisoner asked the magistrate for a jail sentence instead.Forty-three year old Balkarran Persaud of 108 Cane Grove Housing Scheme pleaded guilty to a charge of simple larceny while claiming he did not intentionally steal the article,Cheap Jerseys Online, but needed to be punished for the offence.Persaud appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry on Tuesday last accused of stealing a bicycle costing $19,000.The man claimed he borrowed the bicycle without asking the owner’s permission.When told by the court that a not guilty plea had to be recorded,Cheap Jerseys, the man insisted that he was guilty.“I take the bike and I did not ask,NFL Jerseys Store, just give me a little jail time,” Persaud said.The facts which was subsequently read by the prosecution stated that the complainant,Baker Mayfield Jersey, Carl Millville and Persaud were not friends. It s alleged that on December 16 Millville was at home watching television when he heard a noise downstairs.After making checks, the police claimed, Persaud was seen preparing to make off with the bicycle. Millville subsequently made his way downstairs and pursued the alleged thief.The defendant was later caught and handed over to the police.After hearing the facts of the prosecution,Nike NFL Jerseys China, Persaud accepted the claim and was sentenced to two months imprisonment. The man thanked the magistrate and waited to be escorted to the lock ups.