Mark Cromwell, widely known by the alias ‘Demon,’ has been arrested in connection with a recent shooting incident in Buxton, intensifying scrutiny on individuals recently sanctioned by U.S. authorities for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and organized crime.
Cromwell, a former policeman turned businessman, was among four Guyanese nationals sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) just days ago. The sanctions, part of a broader crackdown on illicit drug networks operating in the region, have placed Cromwell and others under international watch for their alleged roles in facilitating the transnational movement of narcotics from South America to North America and Europe.
The arrest comes amid heightened tensions in Buxton, a community on Guyana’s East Coast Demerara, following a shooting incident that left residents on edge. While details of the shooting remain under police investigation, Cromwell’s apprehension is seen as a significant development given his recent addition to the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list—a designation reserved for individuals linked to serious criminal activity, including drug trafficking and organized crime.
Cromwell’s history with law enforcement is well-documented. Last year, a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest in connection with a kidnapping probe, and he has been previously linked locally to drug trafficking activities. His connections reportedly extend to prominent figures in both the business community and government circles.
The U.S. sanctions against Cromwell and others are part of a renewed international effort to disrupt the flow of cocaine through Guyana, a country long identified as a major transshipment point for narcotics. Authorities allege that traffickers exploit Guyana’s rivers, jungles, and porous borders to move large quantities of cocaine, often using sophisticated methods such as underground bunkers and narco-submarines.
As the investigation into the Buxton shooting continues, law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify their focus on sanctioned individuals and their networks. Cromwell’s arrest is likely to have far-reaching implications, both for the ongoing case in Buxton and for Guyana’s broader battle against organized crime and drug trafficking.
