Terrence Williams has been committed to stand trial in the High Court on a money laundering charge linked to the alleged theft and sale of drugs and medical supplies from a Ministry of Health storage facility.
Magistrate Wanda Fortune, sitting at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court on Monday, committed Williams to stand trial on a charge brought under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.
The charge alleges that Williams acquired, possessed or controlled approximately $7.49 million and foreign currency, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the funds represented, in whole or in part, the proceeds of crime.
According to investigators, Williams and others worked as store attendants at the Ministry of Health’s Material Management Unit (MMU) drug bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and had access to pharmaceuticals and testing kits stored at the facility.
Authorities allege that between January 2021 and November 2022, the employees stole quantities of drugs and testing kits from the bond and sold them for personal gain.
The matter was reported to police and later referred to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which launched an investigation.
During the probe, police searched Williams and his vehicle at the drug bond and reportedly discovered $4.58 million, US$5,760, a .380 pistol, 31 rounds of .380 ammunition and two rounds of 9mm ammunition. The cash, firearm and ammunition were seized as investigations continued.
Williams was subsequently charged and convicted for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.
A special audit conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana found that drugs and testing kits valued at $343.8 million were missing from the Ministry of Health bond during the period under review.
Following Monday’s ruling, Williams was granted bail of $500,000 and ordered to report to SOCU once each month pending the hearing and determination of the matter in the High Court.
Williams was represented by Attorney-at-Law Eden Corbin, while SOCU was represented by prosecutors Darin Chan, David Braithwaite and DSP Neville Jeffers.
This version follows Reuters style by putting the subject’s name, the key court action, and the main allegation in the opening sentence.
