BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — A grand jury in the United States has indicted prominent Guyanese politician and businessman Azruddin Mohamed, along with his father, Nazar Mohamed, on multiple charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.
The father-and-son duo—both already under U.S. sanctions—were indicted this week in the Southern District of Florida. Unsealed court documents reveal an 11-count indictment accusing the two men of conspiring with others to commit fraud against the United States with the intent to “enrich themselves and defraud the government of Guyana.”
Their indictment follows U.S. sanctions imposed earlier this year, which also targeted former Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas. According to prosecutors, the Mohameds allegedly shipped gold through Miami while fraudulently reusing customs declarations and official seals, evading taxes, and circumventing Guyanese export laws.
U.S. authorities previously seized a large shipment of gold from Guyana valued in the millions of dollars, which was allegedly untaxed. Prosecutors claim the Mohameds reused empty boxes bearing official Guyana Revenue Authority and Guyana Gold Board seals to make it appear that taxes had been paid.
Azruddin Mohamed rose to prominence in Guyana after forming the WIN Party, which contested the September general elections. The party finished second overall, securing the bulk of opposition seats in parliament. He has since gained notable support among the country’s poor.
Note: An indictment is when a grand jury decides there’s enough evidence to officially charge a person with a crime and allow the case to proceed to court.
