A court has issued a ‘property freezing order’ against Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus, Adonika Alicia Aulder, and Kyle Kelvin Brutus under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.
The order follows a submission made by Assistant Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), in relation to properties suspected of being “realisable property” under the Act.
The court’s decision also affects a number of bank accounts held by the respondents across several financial institutions, including Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, and the New Building Society. According to the application, Calvin Brutus, Adonika Alicia Aulder, and Kyle Kelvin Brutus are alleged to hold either jointly or individually properties deemed to be subject to the Act’s provisions.
The freezing order covers assets such as Calvin Brutus’ account at Republic Bank, which holds G$2,170,239, and Adonika Alicia Aulder’s account at Demerara Bank, with G$1,584,226. Kyle Kelvin Brutus’ Republic Bank account, containing G$7,601,891, has also been frozen, along with other substantial holdings.
His company, Kytus General Contracting & General Holdings, has had its Republic Bank account frozen, with a balance of G$56,671,675. Additional accounts linked to South Quinn Contracting & General Supplies Inc., at Republic Bank holding some $243, 278, 390 and Triple A Depot have also been targeted with that account also at that Bank with $108, 683, 945.
Further, an account held by Kyle Kelvin Brutus at the New Building Society, with a balance of G$12,255,248, has been frozen. These actions form part of efforts to ensure compliance with laws that combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Guyana.
The court in its ruling warned that any failure to comply with the terms of the order could result in contempt of court proceedings, which may lead to imprisonment or the confiscation of assets.
