| Following reports of an unauthorized search of the premises of a Prashad Nagar businessman by Guyana Revenue Authority Enforcement officers last Thursday, which according to the businessman resulted in ‘a quantity of gold and cash being missing’ from his home, the Guyana Revenue Authority is advising that its officers, more particularly Customs officers, are authorized under the Customs Act to carry out searches and seizures.Commissioner General Khurshid SattaurIn a release to the media signed by a senior manager at the GRA, Peter Fraser, the GRA said such searches are carried out without warrants, except where there is no Writ of Assistance.This Writ of Assistance is granted every year by a High Court judge, and such writ stands in place of a search warrant being issued before carrying out any search exercise.“Section 209 states: “any officer having a writ of assistance issued from the High Court (which is herby authorized and required to grant such writs upon application by the Comptroller) may, by day or night, enter into and search any house, shop, cellar, warehouse,NFL Jerseys From China, room or other place; and in case of resistance, break open doors, chest, trunks and other packages and seize and bring away any uncustomed or prohibited goods, or any books or documents relating thereto, and put and secure same in a state warehouse,” The release stated.Last Thursday, according to the release, a team of Enforcement officers, based on intelligence received, reported that a premises located at Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar contained uncustomed and prohibited liquor or goods, and proceeded to the said premises for the purpose of conducting a search for the items.On arriving there, the officers presented their GRA identification cards and informed the occupants of the purpose of their visit.The release added that, contrary to what was reported, the occupants of the premises cooperated with the officers and accompanied them during the search, “However, only a quantity of empty cartons were discovered…The GRA wishes to state categorically that its officers did not harass the occupants of the home, as the occupant who was at home took them around the house.”The GRA believes there was some sinister motive behind the businessman’s allegations, as he was in the vicinity of the house when he observed the officers approaching his home but decided to drive away when presented with the officers’ identification and reason for their visit.Commissioner-General Mr. Khurshid Sattaur has since stated that the businessman’s allegations are self-serving,Wholesale China Jerseys, adding that he was very disturbed that the newspapers and other broadcasting agencies reported these very defamatory and libellous statements without consulting the GRA or seeking clarification of the allegations raised. He said he is contemplating instituting legal action,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, since these defamatory reports are likely to have damaging effects on the public image and credibility of the Guyana Revenue Authority.“You have to be very careful that these allegations are not intended to intimidate GRA officers and prevent them from discharging their statutory duties and/or sully or malign the image of the GRA, a major agency of the state which is solely authorized to collect the state’s revenues,” Sattaur stated.He added that, “When such reports are carried, it seeks to prevent and discourage the GRA from carrying out its functions, which are critical to the functioning of the state.”He noted that the work of the GRA is enshrined in the laws of Guyana, and while he would have listened to both his officers and the businessman,NFL Jerseys China, he is not in a position to pronounce on the matter, since the GRA has involved other departments to investigate the matter. Sattaur said that,Cheap NFL Jerseys, should the GRA officers be found guilty of any wrong-doings, they will be dealt with appropriately as provided for by law and/or GRA’s code of conduct.“We have done it before and we can do it again. We do not condone wrong doings, but at this point in time this is only an allegation and we have to treat it as such until it is proven otherwise,Cheap Jerseys,” he emphasized. |
