GUYANA · SECURITY
Published Wednesday, 28 October, 5:16 p.m. ET · Source: Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority
Key Facts
- —Who A 39-year-old American man and a 62-year-old American woman, whose names have not been released.
- —What A combined 4.157 ounces (about 118 grams) of suspected raw gold was found in a hair-cutting machine and a handbag.
- —Where Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri, Guyana, during outbound screening for a flight to New York.
- —When Sunday, October 25, 2026, at approximately 9:25 p.m. and 9:47 p.m. Guyana time.
Screening Discovery
Guyanese police and customs officials are investigating two U.S. citizens after screening officers at Cheddi Jagan International Airport found a total of 4.157 ounces of suspected raw gold in their belongings on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The Guyana Police Force said the discoveries occurred during separate outbound screening procedures for a flight to New York.
At approximately 9:25 p.m. Guyana time, officers found 3.048 ounces—about 86.4 grams—of suspected raw gold concealed inside a hair-cutting machine stored in a brown pouch belonging to a 39-year-old American man. About 22 minutes later, at approximately 9:47 p.m. Guyana time, officers found another 1.109 ounces—about 31.4 grams—in the handbag of a 62-year-old American woman.
The combined quantity was approximately 118 grams, or just over four ounces. Police described the material cautiously as 'suspected raw gold' or 'yellow metal,' rather than confirmed gold.
Investigation Underway
Customs officials were contacted after the items were found, and the suspected gold was weighed in the presence of the respective passengers. Both passengers, together with the suspected gold, were subsequently handed over to Guyana Revenue Authority customs officials for further investigation.
The investigation involves the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority's customs officials. Police said investigations were continuing, but the available reports do not quote a named police commander, customs officer, prosecutor, or judge.
The passengers' names, addresses, flight number, airline, and U.S. state of residence have not been publicly disclosed. The reports do not establish whether the two passengers knew one another or acted together.
What Is Not Known
The available reporting does not establish that either passenger has been formally charged. It also does not confirm that the material has been assayed or definitively identified as gold.
Whether prosecutors will allege smuggling, customs fraud, unlawful export, or another offense remains unclear. The reports do not state whether either passenger has been released, remains detained, or has obtained legal representation.
No statement from the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown has been reported. The intended destination within the United States beyond the reports' reference to New York is also not established.
What It Means for US Readers
The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown has not publicly commented on the case, and it is not known whether consular officials have been notified. American citizens detained abroad generally have the right to request consular access under international agreements.
The two travelers were reportedly bound for New York, but their U.S. state of residence has not been disclosed. The case remains an ongoing customs and police investigation, not a proven smuggling case.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether either passenger has been formally charged or arrested under a court order, or whether they were merely detained for customs investigation. The available reports say only that they were handed over to customs for further investigation.
The source and ownership of the suspected gold have not been established. No official valuation in U.S. dollars has been provided because the material has not been confirmed as gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the two Americans carrying?
Screening officers found a combined 4.157 ounces of suspected raw gold in their belongings at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The material was described as ‘yellow metal’ and has not been definitively confirmed as gold.
Where were the travelers going?
Both passengers were outbound travelers destined for New York, United States. Their U.S. state of residence and airline have not been publicly disclosed.
Have the Americans been charged?
The available reports do not establish that either passenger has been formally charged. They were handed over to Guyana Revenue Authority customs officials for further investigation.
Sources: Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority.
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief