AFC Questions Whether Jagdeo Will Face Accountability as Firearms Probe Deepens

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling for a full and transparent investigation into businessman Randy Jagdeo’s alleged connection to a cache of high-powered weapons, arguing that the matter raises serious concerns about national security, accountability and equal treatment under the law.

In a statement issued on June 14 under the headline “Will Jagdeo Be Allowed to Escape Justice Again?”, the opposition party questioned whether Jagdeo’s political connections would shield him from scrutiny as police continue their investigation into the seizure of 23 AK-47 rifles and 503 rounds of ammunition.

“Yet again, PPP-linked businessman Randy Jagdeo has found himself at the center of a major controversy, raising serious questions about accountability and national security,” the AFC stated.

The statement was issued hours after Jagdeo surrendered to police on June 14, following the publication of a wanted bulletin linking him to an ongoing investigation into the discovery of the weapons cache at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara. Police have not publicly disclosed the evidence connecting Jagdeo to the firearms, and no criminal charges had been announced against him at the time of his surrender. The investigation remains ongoing.

The AFC said it was equally troubled by what it described as the silence of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the face of the allegations.

“What is equally concerning, however, is the apparent silence from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP),” the party said. “Despite the gravity of the allegations and the public concerns being raised, there has been no visible sanction or condemnation directed at Jagdeo.”

According to the AFC, the absence of a public response risks creating the perception that politically connected individuals are treated differently from ordinary citizens.

“This lack of action risks creating the perception that there is one standard for politically connected individuals and another for ordinary citizens.”

The latest controversy has drawn added attention because Jagdeo has previously been the subject of two high-profile criminal cases that ultimately failed in the courts.

In 2025, he was charged in connection with an alleged plot that prosecutors described as having implications for the constitutional order and national security. The charge, widely reported as a treason-related matter, was subsequently dismissed. More than a decade earlier, in 2013, Jagdeo faced a murder charge arising from a fatal shooting. That case was also dismissed by the courts.

Against that backdrop, the AFC questioned whether the latest allegations would receive full legal scrutiny.

“Will Jagdeo face legal accountability, or will political affiliations within the PPP shield him from justice?” the party asked. “Furthermore, is the PPP government unprepared for, or intentionally ignoring, potential systemic challenges?”

The AFC also linked the current investigation to another recent firearms seizure that remains the subject of public concern.

“Separate from the 23 rifles currently under scrutiny, Guyanese are still awaiting full answers regarding the 10 AK-style rifles intercepted by law enforcement in late May,” the statement noted.

Authorities had reported the interception of those weapons in a separate operation, prompting questions about the source and intended destination of military-style firearms entering the country.

While acknowledging that law enforcement recovered the weapons, the AFC argued that the incidents point to broader security concerns.

“While authorities succeeded in recovering those weapons, the incident highlighted broader concerns about the movement and circulation of illegal firearms within the country.”

The party warned that the discovery of multiple caches of assault-style weapons within weeks of each other has heightened concerns about the possible existence of wider criminal networks.

“The discovery of these weapons has also fueled questions about whether other firearms may remain unaccounted for and whether criminal networks or other unauthorized individuals could have access to similar weapons.”

Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy and strategic location on the South American mainland have heightened concerns among security observers about transnational crime, including narcotics trafficking, arms smuggling and organised criminal activity.

Against that backdrop, the AFC argued that the current investigation must be pursued without fear or favour.

“National security cannot be treated as a partisan issue,” the party stated. “Any matter involving high-powered firearms must be addressed with the utmost seriousness, regardless of the individuals involved or their political connections.”

The AFC said the allegations have generated widespread public concern because of their potential implications for public safety.

“The allegations have sent shockwaves across the country, given the potential implications for public safety and national security.”

Calling for a comprehensive probe, the party said Guyanese deserve answers regarding how the weapons entered circulation, who may have been involved and whether any laws were violated.

“The emergence of such serious allegations demands a thorough and transparent investigation. Guyanese deserve answers regarding how such weapons came into circulation, who was responsible, and whether any laws were breached.”

The statement concluded with a call for authorities to demonstrate that no individual enjoys immunity from the law.

“The Guyanese public deserves accountability, transparency, and reassurance that no one is above the law.”

Beyond the fate of one businessman, the controversy has evolved into a broader test of whether political influence carries weight in criminal investigations and whether authorities are prepared to pursue sensitive cases wherever the evidence leads.