In a significant development, Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC announced yesterday that law enforcement agencies and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are poised to take action regarding Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Thomas. This comes in light of the sanctions imposed on them by the United States last June.

During a joint press conference with President Irfaan Ali and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Nandlall confirmed that both law enforcement and the GRA have received ample information related to the allegations against the Mohameds. “They are going to act. They have formally communicated that to the Government of Guyana, and I presume that they will act any time now,” he stated.

On June 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Mohameds due to their alleged involvement in extensive gold smuggling operations. The sanctions also extended to Mae Thomas, who was cited for alleged corruption, leading to her immediate leave from her governmental position.

The allegations against the Mohameds include defrauding the Guyanese government of approximately US$50 million in taxes related to smuggled gold and bribing public officials to facilitate their operations.

As authorities prepare to move forward with the case, the situation underscores ongoing efforts to combat corruption and illegal activities in Guyana’s gold industry. The government’s response will be closely monitored as it navigates these serious allegations and works to uphold the rule of law.