Georgetown, Guyana – President Dr. Irfaan Ali has rejected claims that the government is targeting businessman Azruddin Mohamed and his family, emphasizing that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is acting within its legal mandate to recover taxes owed on luxury vehicles.
Speaking during a community engagement in Region Three on Sunday, President Ali addressed the controversy surrounding the GRA’s recent attempts to seize high-end vehicles linked to the Mohameds over alleged breaches of tax laws. He dismissed allegations of victimization, stating that the actions of the GRA are guided by the rule of law and international cooperation.
“The GRA made it very clear that there is something called post-audit,” President Ali said. “Our international partners and technical agencies are working with them, and they have a duty to act in the interest of the rule of law and the country.” He further assured that individuals have the right to challenge such actions in court, adding, “We don’t deny anyone their rights… How is that victimization by the government?”
The dispute centers around over $1.2 billion in unpaid taxes related to luxury vehicles allegedly imported under false pretenses or in breach of re-migrant concession agreements. The GRA has cited additional taxes owed on vehicles including a 2020 Ferrari, 2023 Rolls Royce, 2020 Lamborghini Roadster, and two Toyota Land Cruisers, among others.
On Saturday, GRA officers attempted to seize several vehicles at Mohamed’s Houston residence but were met with resistance from an “angry mob,” according to a statement from the agency. The crowd reportedly included women, children, and live reporters, forcing officers to retreat for their safety.
In response, Azruddin Mohamed secured a temporary court order barring the GRA from seizing or detaining his vehicles pending a judicial review. High Court Judge Gino Persaud has set April 10 as the deadline for the GRA to file its responses.
The GRA defended its actions, stating that it routinely enforces tax compliance measures for breaches of duty-free concessions and re-migrant agreements. It noted that hundreds of similar cases are processed annually, resulting in millions of dollars in recovered taxes.
This tax dispute follows sanctions imposed on Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed by the United States Department of the Treasury in June 2024 under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The U.S. alleges that Mohamed’s Enterprise avoided paying over US$50 million in duties between 2019 and 2023 through fraudulent gold export declarations.
Despite claims from the Mohamed family that they are being unfairly targeted for political reasons, President Ali reiterated that no individual or business is above the law when it comes to paying taxes. The GRA has vowed to continue its efforts to recover outstanding revenues while adhering to legal protocols.
As tensions mount between the government and one of Guyana’s most prominent business families, this case underscores broader issues of tax compliance and accountability in the country’s rapidly growing economy.
