Minister halts seizure of Bai Shan Lin vehicles

BaiShanLin has been at the centre of controversies over the years it has been in Guyana. The company failed to fulfill agreements signed with the previous administration even as it enjoyed billions of dollars in concessions.
Recently, with the change in Government, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been trying to clampdown on all those who have been trying to evade paying taxes, including BaiShanLin.
The State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) is also involved in investigating the tax dodgers.
Towards this end, GRA, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, launched a special operation to seize a number of luxury vehicles imported by the Chinese logging company, BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc.
Kaieteur News understands that these vehicles were being seized due to the fact that the Chinese company failed to pay the required duties within the legally stipulated timeframe.
But before officials from the GRA’s Customs Department and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) could carry out the seizures, they received a call from a Government official who gave strict instructions that the vehicles must not be removed, to leave the company alone, and to walk away from the premises.
Kaieteur News understands that it was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who gave the orders to the GRA and SOCU officers. Several attempts were made by this newspaper to contact Harmon on the matter, but all proved futile.
Several Government Ministers confirmed that they were aware of the issue. They, however, declined to give an on-the-record comment.
The details of the matter were also confirmed with the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU). The Unit is currently looking into the issue.
Chairman of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Rawle Lucas, when contacted yesterday, said that he became aware of the issue on Wednesday.
Asked if GRA would still pursue the matter despite the intervention of the senior Government official, he said, “I expect that this matter would be dealt with accordingly. At this stage I really can’t give any further comment. But at least we have a Minister (who could conduct an investigation).
“You have to remember that I am not an Executive Chairman of GRA, so I can only begin to seriously enquire as to whether that really represents acceptable policy from an entity like GRA, and if that is part of their modus operandi.”
Asked if he would be informing Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on the matter, he said, “Oh, I think my minister is very much aware about this issue already”.