The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken possession of the keys for Sheriff Group of Companies’ recently acquired helicopter, the Bell 505.
A source from that autonomous body told Guyana Standard that the aircraft was imported for medical purposes through an investment agreement. Therefore, it should not be used for security purposes. That source avoided saying whether that is the sole or main reason for confiscation of the keys, choosing only to confirm, “the keys will be given back when everything has been regularized.”
However, a source at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) told this publication that the Sheriff group has not been granted all of the necessary approvals for operation. “They sought permission to bring the aircraft and that was granted. But the process does not end there. They still have to get permission for the type of service.”
This publication understands that there may be some level of disparity between the purpose given to the GRA, which paved the way for tax agreement, and the purpose given to GCAA when seeking permission to operate.
The Bell 505 was reportedly purchased at a cost of US $1.9M, directly from the factory.
