GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Oct 16, CMC – The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is recommending that “dozens” of charges be laid against the embattled Assistant Police Commissioner, Calvin Brutus.
“Earlier this year, SOCU launched an investigation into certain activities of Assistant Commissioner Brutus and at the end of that investigation, based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, no criminal charges were recommended,” the GPF said in a statement on Wednesday.
Brutus had proceeded on leave in July to allow a probe into allegations of financial impropriety. A day before proceeding on leave, the senor polce officer chose to remain silent on a claim that he had allegedly deposited GUY$16.5 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) into his Police Credit Union account on December 15, 2023.
The money was returned to him the following day and the source of funds was given as contributions from before, during and after a wedding.
In its statement, the police said based on critical information that SOCU received from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), “a new and more expansive investigation” was conducted by the FIU, which was established under the Anti-Money Laundering Act as an agency responsible for requesting, receiving, analysing and dissemination of suspicious transaction reports and other information relating to money laundering, terrorist financing or proceeds of crime.
The police said that the investigation was concluded on October 1 and all the relevant files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review, advice and further action.
“In respect of this latter expansive investigation, SOCU recommended dozens of charges. SOCU now awaits the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” police said.
The GPF also described as “misleading” a front page report in Wednesday’s Stabroek News headlined “SOCU probe into Brutus finds no evidence of crime”.
CMC/gt/ir/2024