The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has taken note of the recent incident involving the theft, unlawful purchase and attempted movement of copper and wishes to make its position clear.
The persons identified in connection with the incident were not licensed scrap-metal dealers. The individual who purchased the copper and is currently on bail is a repeat offender, having been involved in a similar incident earlier this year. The Ministry notes that he is not a licensed dealer and maintains that, where violations are established, offenders must face the full brunt of the law.
The Ministry is also placing all licensed scrap-metal dealers on notice: no dealer will be permitted to facilitate, purchase, sell, receive or otherwise deal in illegally obtained copper. Any licensed dealer found engaging in such activities will face immediate cancellation of their licence, in addition to prosecution where applicable.
The Ministry will take decisive regulatory and enforcement action to shut down unlawful operations and prevent the continued abuse of the scrap-metal trade. The destruction of public infrastructure and the theft or unlawful removal of private property will not be tolerated. If the illegal practices within this trade continue, the Ministry will not hesitate to take the necessary steps to cancel the scrap-metal trade altogether.
The Ministry remains fully committed to protecting the integrity of the scrap-metal industry, ensuring compliance with Guyana’s laws and regulatory requirements, and taking all necessary action against persons who seek to operate outside of the law.
(Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Press Release)