By Mark DaCosta – In a contentious display of law enforcement power, the Guyana Police Force has initiated an operation that may result in charges against the owners of a business linked to ongoing allegations of illicit activities.
The raid at Mohamed’s Enterprises, owned by United States (U.S.)-sanctioned businessmen Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, has raised serious concerns about possible state overreach and the potential for political motivations behind such aggressive actions, particularly given the current political climate involving the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
On the morning of February 11, 2026, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) executed a targeted operation at Mohamed’s Lombard Street premises in Georgetown. This move was reportedly in response to credible intelligence suggesting that the establishment was engaged in illegal financial operations.
On Wednesday night, the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) released video footage which it says substantiates claims that an illegal cambio was operating at the shuttered Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard Street. The business’s foreign exchange licence had previously been revoked.
SOCU stated that the search of the premises was conducted after receiving what it described as credible intelligence that foreign exchange transactions were continuing despite the revocation. Based on that information, law enforcement officers carried out an operation which the unit says confirmed that cambio services were still being offered without the legally required authorisation.
The video, time-stamped January 27, 2026, shows one of the men arrested on Wednesday handing cash to a woman through a cashier’s cage inside the building. The footage suggests the woman was equipped with a concealed recording device during what appeared to be a foreign exchange transaction.
Azruddin Mohamed, proprietor of Mohamed’s Enterprise, has denied the allegation, maintaining that no illegal cambio was being operated at the Lombard Street location.
During the raid, officers discovered items believed to be linked to unlawful activities, prompting a statement from the police about ongoing investigations and the likelihood of future enforcement actions. Prominent in the community, Azruddin Mohamed has vehemently condemned the police operation, asserting that it was politically motivated.
The raid, described by him as an attempt to intimidate and silence political opponents, took place amid accusations that the PPP is leveraging state resources to undermine dissent. Mohamed expressed dismay at what he described as the aggressive nature of the raid, during which armed officers overwhelmed the location, treating it with a level of force more befitting a major criminal crackdown than a regulatory enforcement action.
Witnesses recounted seeing approximately 15 officers, some masked and equipped with video recording devices, creating an atmosphere charged with fear and uncertainty. Mohamed’s insistence on transparency during the raid was reportedly met with resistance from the police, who allegedly failed to present a legal search warrant.
Throughout the operation, officers seized various personal items, including electronic devices, money said to have been set aside for distribution to the needy, and privileged confidential documents.
The confiscation of materials that allegedly included attorney-client communications is particularly alarming, raising questions about the motivations behind what has been described as a brazen infringement on legal privacy.
The political undertones of the incident are further underscored by the treatment of individuals present during the raid. Reports indicate that several citizens, including elderly individuals, were detained without clear justification, deepening fears of state-sponsored oppression and an erosion of civil liberties.
As the dust settles on the events of that February morning, the ripples of unrest continue to spread throughout the nation. Many citizens, opposition figures, and activists are rallying behind Mohamed, calling for accountability and demanding an urgent review of the powers exercised by law enforcement agencies in the name of protecting public order.
The raid serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in safeguarding democratic values against the spectre of governmental overreach, especially in an era when the intertwining of state power and political ambition appears to threaten the foundations of society.
Citizens across the country remain watchful and expect a political climate grounded in respect for human rights and strict adherence to the rule of law. The raid on Azruddin Mohamed’s property underscores the strain on Guyana’s democratic culture and sharpens concerns about due process, proportionality, and the protection of dissent. At its core, the incident tests whether state power will be exercised with restraint and accountability, or in ways that deepen political division and erode public trust.
