Nine months after he was sanctioned by the United States Government, Senior Superintendent of Police, Himnauth Sawh, remains on administrative leave as the investigation into his alleged involvement in an international drug ring continues, Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond has disclosed.

Sawh was among four Guyanese sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in June 2025 for alleged drug trafficking and reported links to Colombian drug pushers.

On the sidelines of an event this morning, Minister Walrond said based on her knowledge, the sanctioned Policeman remains on administrative leave from the Guyana Police Force.

The senior Policeman was sent on leave shortly after being sanctioned by the U.S to pave way for an investigation to be conducted into the crimes he is accused of committing. That investigation, the Home Affairs Minister said, is ongoing.

“As far as I am aware, he is still on administrative, and yes, those allegations are being investigated,” Minister Walrond said.

It is unclear whether Sawh is being paid by the Guyana Police Force as he remains on leave.

With the investigation ongoing for almost year, the Home Affairs assured that a thorough investigation is being done.

“Financial crimes of the kind that he has been accused of take a very long time, they are very meticulous and it has to be done very carefully. We have seen how even in other countries how long it takes before a charge is actually laid. These things take a very long time, it has to be meticulously done for it to be successfully concluded,” Minister Walrond said.

Noting that her last update on the investigation into Sawh was months ago, the Home Affairs Minister committed to providing the press with an update once briefed on the investigation.

“In relation to Sawh I shall review where that investigation is. But having come from the bench, and as a magistrate, I understand how careful work has to be done for you to get an effective prosecution or to even be able to lay a charge,” the Home Affairs Minister said.

In September 2024, the embattled Policeman was removed from Region One, where he served as the Regional Commander following a massive 4.4 tonne drug find by CANU along with the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the GDF Special Forces.

Sawh was never charged in connection with that bust, but was reportedly questioned about the movement of drugs through the Region.

A number of other Police Officers from the area along with villagers were also questioned at the time of that investigation.

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