A significant law enforcement operation has ignited a political firestorm in Guyana, pitting the country’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) against prominent businessman and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed. The confrontation centers on allegations of illegal foreign exchange operations at Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard Street, which authorities claim continued despite the revocation of its license in June 2024.
SOCU released timestamped video evidence dated January 27, 2006, showing what appears to be financial transactions occurring within the premises. The footage depicts an individual, allegedly equipped with recording equipment, receiving money through a cashier cage. Law enforcement officials maintain this evidence substantiates their claim that unlicensed cambio services were being conducted illegally.
Mohamed vehemently denies the allegations, stating, ‘That is untrue. Never ever!!! I looked at the video and I am not seeing no USD.’ The businessman acknowledges the presence of hundreds of U.S. dollars in the building but argues this doesn’t prove illegal operations. He questions the logic of the accusation, noting that if they were genuinely operating an illegal cambio, they would have possessed substantially larger sums of money.
The raid resulted in the seizure of nearly GY$2 million and multiple boxes of documents. Mohamed claims these funds were designated for charitable purposes, intended to assist less fortunate individuals who regularly seek help at his establishment. Five staff members detained during the operation were later released on their own recognizance.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of previous sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) against Mohamed and his father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, for alleged gold smuggling and tax evasion. SOCU characterizes Wednesday’s action as part of a broader national and regional security strategy targeting organized criminal networks involved in gold smuggling, illicit financial flows, and unlicensed money exchanges.
The law enforcement agency emphasized its commitment to combating financial crimes without political influence, stating it ‘performs its lawful functions with a strict mandate, without any political influences.’ SOCU officials confirmed that charges would be filed shortly and that a detailed forensic and financial examination of seized materials is underway.