On Tuesday, officers from the United States Marshals Service and the US Embassy Regional Security Office paid a courtesy visit to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn. The meeting, which took place in the ministry’s boardroom, emphasized several key areas of cooperation including crime-fighting strategies, extradition processes, and mutual agreements aimed at enhancing security collaboration between Guyana and the United States. According to a post on the ministry’s social media page, the discussions highlighted both parties’ ongoing commitment to strengthening law enforcement partnerships and addressing regional security issues.
In July 2024, Guyana enacted the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill, designed to ensure that fugitives hiding from justice can be brought back to face charges while upholding due process. Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who introduced the bill, emphasized that it includes safeguards to prevent misuse, requiring the local judiciary to verify the evidence supporting extradition requests. Additionally, the final decision on whether to proceed with extradition lies with the Minister of Home Affairs after receiving a committal order from the magistrate.
Earlier this month, Guyana successfully extradited Harry Narine Rajkumar to Canada, marking a historic first extradition between the two countries. The Home Affairs Ministry confirmed that Rajkumar was sent back to Canada to face multiple serious charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault. His capture, which followed an INTERPOL Red Notice, was the result of diligent efforts by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Following his arrest, Rajkumar opted to waive his right to an extradition hearing, voluntarily agreeing to return to Canada, with the formal extradition process overseen by acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Last month, the government announced the extradition of Parmanand Singh, a Guyanese citizen, to the United States in connection with a fatal vehicular incident. Singh waived his right to an extradition hearing and consented to return to the US to address legal matters related to the incident. The Guyana Government had received a formal extradition request for Singh from the US in September 2024, prompting Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn to direct the Chief Magistrate to initiate the necessary legal proceedings.
Singh was accused of causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence, resulting in the death of Sérgio Gadelha. In a separate case, the search for Ravindra Dharamjit, who was wanted for a hit-and-run that killed a 67-year-old man in Queens, ended with his arrest in Guyana in August 2024. Dharamjit had fled the scene and was tracked down by detectives over the years.
In May 2023, US fugitive Bobby Allen Stark was extradited from Guyana to face charges related to alleged sexual assault. Stark had sought refuge in Guyana after fleeing justice in the United States. In 2022, two other fugitives wanted for sex crimes in the US, Julian Yhip and Kareem Hack, were also extradited after years of hiding in Guyana. Hack was arrested in Berbice, while Yhip was apprehended in Georgetown.
Notably, in November 2020, Shawn Neblett, a former Guyanese policeman, was extradited to the US for his involvement in cocaine trafficking. He was taken into custody by FBI agents from a local prison, where he was awaiting extradition proceedings. Neblett was wanted for trafficking over 4 kg of cocaine, discovered in a suitcase at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in January 2017.
