The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has charged two former employees of the Ministry of Health’s Material Management Unit (MMU) Bond, located at 1st Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, with multiple counts of money laundering.
The accused are Terrence Williams, a 26-year-old miner from Lot 123 Farm, East Bank Demerara, and Kerron Webster, a 29-year-old resident of Lot 344 Middle Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the theft and illegal sale of pharmaceutical and COVID-19 testing kits valued at over $343 million.
Webster appeared at Georgetown Magistrate’s Court #5 before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, where he was charged with one count of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, Chapter 10:11. The charge alleges that he knowingly converted, transferred, or used proceeds of crime to conceal their illicit origin. He was granted bail of $100,000 and is scheduled to return to court on December 6, 2024.
Williams, who faces two counts of money laundering, did not appear in court as he is currently serving a three-year sentence at Lusignan Prison for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. His cases were adjourned to November 22 and December 9, 2024, for the charges to be read.
According to SOCU, Williams and Webster exploited their unrestricted access to the MMU Bond to steal pharmaceutical supplies and COVID-19 testing kits. These stolen items were reportedly sold, and the proceeds were used to enrich themselves.
The case began when police conducted a search at the bond, uncovering a .38 pistol, ammunition, and cash totaling $4.58 million GYD and $5,760 USD. Following this discovery, Williams was convicted of firearm possession, but SOCU launched a parallel money laundering investigation.
A subsequent audit revealed a staggering $343,808,000 GYD worth of drugs and testing kits unaccounted for at the MMU Bond. SOCU has also initiated proceedings to seize properties believed to have been acquired with the proceeds of the crime.
The investigation remains ongoing.
