Brazilian national Osmil Da Silva was formally charged in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following an operation in Mahdia that led to the seizure of raw gold, documents, equipment, and over $17 million in cash.
The 36-year-old shop owner from Mahdia was arraigned before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Friday, where he was charged with the unlawful possession of 43.8655 ounces of gold on May 21, 2025, at Lot 111 Mile, Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight).
The prosecution contended that Da Silva was not a licenced gold producer under Section 2 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01, at the time of the alleged offence.
A Portuguese speaker, Da Silva, pleaded not guilty with the assistance of an interpreter.
Da Silva’s attorney, Latchmie Rahamat, expressed surprise at the nature of the charge, asserting that her client is a licensed operator under the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and runs a legitimate business known as Filhao Shop in Mahdia.
“I’m puzzled as to why this is the charge he is currently facing,” Rahamat said. She further emphasized that Da Silva is a father of two, has no prior convictions, no pending matters, and maintains strong ties to his community. “He has every intention of clearing his name,” she added.
Da Silva is also represented by Attorney-at-Law Aquella Best.
Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, representing the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), did not object to bail but requested that conditions be imposed. He noted that the offence carries a maximum penalty of $75,000.
Magistrate McGusty granted bail in the full amount of $75,000, clarifying that it could not exceed the maximum fine prescribed by law. The matter has been transferred to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court and is scheduled for further hearing on June 25, 2025.
The charge followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by SOCU in Mahdia on Wednesday. Officers reportedly intercepted an alleged illegal gold smuggling operation at the Filhao Shop, owned by Da Silva.
According to SOCU’s Head, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, the operation resulted in the seizure of raw gold, business-related documents, equipment, and more than $17 million in Guyanese currency.
SOCU noted that the frequency of such operations has raised concerns about the presence and structure of transnational gold smuggling networks operating within Guyana. The Unit described the Mahdia seizure as a significant step in its ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s mineral resources.
“The outcome of Wednesday’s operation reinforces the seriousness with which national security agencies are responding to illegal mining and smuggling activities,” SOCU said in a statement. “This incident also adds to a growing list of cases involving Brazilian nationals operating unlawfully in Guyana’s gold-mining regions.”
The agency added that the seizure helped prevent the gold from being smuggled out of the country, highlighting the growing threat posed by cross-border smuggling rings.
