Agents of the Guyana Revenue Authority were forced to retreat from the residence of The Mohamed family on Saturday morning after their attempt to seize a number of the family’s luxury vehicles over reported owed taxes was met with a loud protest from scores of supporters of the Mohameds.

The standoff began after a group of GRA Enforcement Officers arrived at the family’s posh compound at Houston and informed billionaire son, Azruddin Mohamed, that they were there to seize the vehicles over a reported $900 million owed in additional taxes.

The vehicles were imported and cleared four years ago, and the Mohameds said they paid the taxes required at the time. They believe the move by the GRA to demand additional taxes four years later is politically motivated and may be linked to Azruddin Mohamed’s suspected run for political office.

With scores of supporters at his side, Mr. Mohamed declared that the entire GRA operation points to victimization and political persecution.

“They said they come to seize vehicles and I don’t know why all of a sudden they want to seize vehicles. They should have seized the vehicles the first day they arrived in the country”, he said.

He told the GRA Officers and the Police gathered that they should not be taking political directives. The younger Mohamed said the entry of the vehicles and the taxes paid on them four years ago were all authorized and he has the documents to back that up. He said the Government ought to spend its time focusing on real issues that affect the people of Guyana and not trying to intimidate and victimize him out of the fear that he may run for political office.

The GRA Officers eventually left the location but returned later with additional Police and other Enforcement officers. At this stage, Mr. Mohamed contacted his lawyer who informed the GRA Officers that the matter was already engaging the Court and a hearing date has been set for the coming week. A senior GRA Officer who was at the scene, stated that he was not in receipt of any such information.

With a ground of supporters building up steady for the Mohameds, the father, Nazar Mohamed, appeared and told the Officers that if they were to show up with a Court order to seize the vehicles, he would hand them over.

The GRA Officers left again and never returned. However, the GRA issued a statement shortly after declaring that the officers were blocked from carrying out their duties by “an angry mob”.

The revenue collection agency said it has and will continue to operate within the confines of the laws that the Authority administers, and will continue to take the necessary action to recover its revenues from persons who breach the laws with intent to defraud the Authority of any taxes.

It listed the vehicles that it wants to seize as

• one 2020 Ferrari PAD 5000 in the name of Hana Mohamed, with additional taxes of $479,743, 489 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
• one 2023 Land Rover Range Rover PAC 9000 in the name of Leslie Khan, with additional taxes of $61,485,982 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
• one 2023 Rolls Royce PAE 5000 in the name of Bibi Mohamed, with additional taxes of $320,064,246 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
• one 2020 Lamborghini Roadster PZZ 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $371,775,168 for false declaration of value.
• one 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $24,641,272 for false declaration of value.
• one 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $24,641,272 for false declaration of value.

Meanwhile, News Source understands that a High Court judge has since blocked the GRA from making any attempt to seize the vehicles until a hearing and determination of the matter that has been filed.

Related posts:

Guyanese critic fails to reverse $52M judgment in favour of Mohameds Jagdeo challenges Mohamed to provide evidence of Government conducting business with family after sanctions Hughes confirms meeting with Mohameds over “legal issues” Mohameds accused of under-declaration of Gold and evasion of taxes by US Treasury Department