Dear Editor,
The issue of gold smuggling and lost taxes for Guyana and USA has led to indictment and extradition request by USA of Azruddin Mohamed. Guyana government approached the Biden Administration to indict and request extradition of Azruddin who was gearing up to run for President posing a threat to the PPP. Why are he and his father the only ones being pursued? Why not also the narco trafficker and gold smuggler from Essequibo whose operations are next door to the US Embassy? And why not others like some Ministers and their children and other government officials who have cheated the government of taxes? Shouldn’t the chocolate Minister be charged? And how about the one who owns multiple buildings? They have cheated the government of tax revenues many times more than allegedly committed by Azruddin and his father. How about the Minister who was involved in granting illegal fishing licenses to the Chinese to clean out the waters of fish? Should he not also be indicted and extradited or at a minimum prosected? Several of these individuals, including children of a Minister, were closely tied with the operations of Azruddin who bank rolled them. Several were in bed with Az. The chocolate Minister also collected a lot of money from Az. And there are individuals closely linked with ranking officials of the Guyana government in money laundering, gold smuggling and narco trafficking to USA and Europe. They all have cheated the government of many times the amount of money that Azruddin allegedly cheated Guyana. Several businesses tied to government and some owned by Ministers and other officials are also involved in corrupt practices. How about the diversion of state resources from Works and NDIA towards to develop a farm on the East Bank? Is that not a crime? Shouldn’t those involved also be indicted and extradited to USA? Shouldn’t those who received bribes be prosecuted?
Those who cheated the government of taxes by underreporting exports should be prosecuted. Their activities deserve serious investigation, regardless of the identity, political affiliation, wealth or influence. They should also be indicted and extradited to USA. American authorities should also examine whether international buyers, intermediaries, shipping operators, financial institutions and other commercial participants facilitate or benefit from illicit transactions. Financial misconduct rarely operates entirely within one country’s borders.
There should not be a double standard. Washington must address the concerns of ordinary Guyanese.
The United States frequently speaks about fighting corruption, strengthening democracy, promoting transparency and protecting public revenue. These are important objectives. But such principles must be applied consistently and not selectively.
If the United States is prepared to devote substantial resources to pursuing the extradition of one prominent Guyanese businessman and political leader, the public is entitled to ask whether similar resources are being committed to investigating other alleged offenders whose activities may have deprived Guyana and the United States of tens of millions of American dollars.
Why is a major drug and gold trafficker from Essequibo and officials not receiving comparable attention? The Guyanese people deserve an effective, independent and impartial system for investigating tax evasion, corruption, narcotics trafficking, illegal gold trading and money laundering.
American cooperation can assist in achieving these objectives, but it should strengthen Guyana’s institutions rather than create perceptions that the country’s legal and political affairs are being determined by external pressure.
The extradition proceedings involving Mohamed must be resolved through the applicable legal process. The courts must assess the evidence, respect the rights of the accused and ensure that the law is followed. Political office should neither provide immunity from prosecution nor become a reason for prejudicial treatment.
Similarly, other individuals suspected of major financial or criminal wrongdoing should not be shielded because they lack the political profile of the Mohamed family or enjoy powerful business relationships.
The ultimate test is consistency. The American government cannot convincingly champion the rule of law internationally while leaving unanswered questions about the consistency of its own enforcement priorities.
Yours truly,
Feroze Mohamed
