Attorney General Anil Nandlall has revealed that the US Justice Department has provided the Government of Guyana with the information it requested on the alleged crimes committed by the Guyanese Billionaire, Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed and Government Permanent Saecretary Mae Thomas, that led to them being sanctioned by the US back in June 2024.

On the sideline of President Irfaan Ali’s joint press conference with US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio at State House today, the Attorney General told reporters that the information has been handed over to the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for them to conduct their investigations and take appropriate action.

Guyana had asked the US to provide it with the evidence that led to the sanctions by the US Treasury Department. The Department of Justice had also requested information from Guyana.

“Through that exchange, law enforcement agencies in Guyana along with the Guyana Revenue Authority have expressed the opinion that they have sufficient volume of evidence, information, data, documents, whatever you wish to call it, to proceed to act upon it. GRA I suppose will act upon the allegations of tax evasion. The Guyana Police Force through its appropriate departments, will act upon other aspects of the data or evidence which they feel presents an opportunity to activate certain processes. So, that will be activated shortly,” the Attorney General said.

The Mohameds were sanctioned over their alleged under-declaration of gold and the evasion of more than US$50M in local taxes, while Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas was sanctioned over her alleged involvement in a bribery scheme linked to the Mohameds, and also her alleged role in offering protection from criminal prosecution and investigation, according to the US report.

The Attorney General said with the information in hand, it is now for the authorities to take appropriate action in keeping with the laws of the country. He, however, steered clear of indicating whether criminal charges could be instituted soon based on the information received regarding the crimes allegedly committed.

“That process has thus far yielded a sufficient volume of information that the tax authority feel and the law enforcement agencies, in Guyana feel, provide sufficient basis for them to begin their statutory processes,” he would only say.

Though, Thomas was sanctioned along with the Mohameds and their businesses, the Attorney General also steered clear of indicating whether Thomas would also be investigated by the law enforcement agencies here.

“I can’t speak for the Law Enforcement Agencies nor the Guyana Revenue Authority, but I have no doubt that their approach will be one that is objective and would be evidence driven, I have no reason to think otherwise,” the Attorney General said.

He said the process of sharing information is ongoing, with the Attorney General’s Chamber and the Ministry of Home acting as conduits for the Government, while the GRA uses a separate channel.

“Myself and Home Affairs Minister are members of the Government, but we don’t investigate. We are simply the conduits, we pass the information onto the Law Enforcement Agencies for them to investigate, interrogate and form their opinions,” he said.

The Attorney General said the authorities have formally indicated to the Government of Guyana that they will take action soon.

In recent days, the Mohameds have accused the Government of Guyana of victimization after the Government blocked the renewal of license for a number of their businesses. The Mohameds have claimed that the Government continued to transact business with them even after the US sanctions. They believe the Government’s move now may be linked to the political aspirations of the son, Azruddin Mohamed.

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