Weeks after the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it had “irrefutable” evidence of tax evasion by United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed and his relatives, the tax agency submitted said evidence to the High Court in supplemental filings that expose massive undervaluation of tax filings, and could even constitute perjury.
The newly submitted evidence was provided by the US Department of Justice itself under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), and comprises 78 pages of correspondence between US and Guyanese authorities.
Of particular interest is an original invoice for the Lamborghini Aventador at the centre of the dispute between the Mohameds and GRA. The invoice, which was billed to Azruddin Mohamed himself, declares that the Lamborghini was purchased at a cost of US$695,000.
In his previous declarations to the court, however, Mohamed claimed to have spent US$76,000 on the luxury car.
Businessman Azruddin Mohammed with the Lamborghini Aventador he is alleged to have evaded taxes on
In explaining the timing of the filing, Rajandra Singh, in his affidavit of defence, claimed that GRA was “constrained by matters of national security” and could not have disclosed the information and included the matters it was now including.
With the information now in hand, however, Singh pointed out in his affidavit that Mohamed presented “fictitious and false” documents to GRA, and thus made false declarations to the tax authority in order to evade taxes – a criminal offence.
“The applicant (Mohamed) is guilty of perjury in this court for falsely declaring the value which was paid for said vehicle and submitted a valuation which was false.
“The applicant was guilty of entering into a criminal and illegal scheme with International Speed Consulting to deceive and defraud (GRA) as to the true price paid for said vehicle.”
It was only on Monday that the Court of Appeal had refused GRA’s application to overturn the High Court ruling that had placed an injunction on the tax agency from seizing the luxury vehicles owned by the Mohamed family.
Last month, there had been a tense stand-off that saw enforcement officials from the GRA being blocked from seizing several high-end vehicles linked to nearly $900 million in unpaid duties.
Officers of the GRA, accompanied by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, went to the Mohamed family’s Houston, Greater Georgetown residence to take possession of the luxury vehicles after repeated notices and a month-long effort to resolve the matter amicably had failed.
However, the operation was halted after the officers were met by an angry mob that physically obstructed access to the premises.
The GRA reported that Azruddin Mohamed refused to cooperate, questioned the basis for the operation, and summoned a mob from his property and nearby areas. The mob reportedly became increasingly hostile, prompting officers to retreat due to safety concerns.
The invoice in question that was included in GRA’s supplemental filings to the High Court
Among the vehicles targeted for seizure were a Lamborghini Roadster, Ferrari 488, two Toyota Land Cruisers, a Rolls Royce, and a Range Rover — all allegedly imported under the re-migrant scheme but found to be in breach of its terms, including failure to meet residency requirements and presenting false declarations of value.
Despite the mounting stand-off, the GRA noted that it had made multiple attempts to engage the Mohameds, sending three separate letters and emails inviting them to settle the outstanding taxes or make arrangements for inspection. No meaningful dialogue was initiated by the family, the agency said.
While the legal proceedings continue, the total taxes owed by the Mohamed family amount to nearly $900 million, linked to multiple luxury vehicles allegedly imported under false pretences or in breach of the re-migrant scheme.
Among the amounts cited are $479.7 million for a 2020 Ferrari registered to Hana Mohamed, $371.7 million for a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster titled to Azruddin Mohamed, and $320 million for a 2023 Rolls Royce registered to Bibi Mohamed. Additional taxes include $61.4 million for a 2023 Range Rover under Leslie Khan’s name, and $24.6 million each for two Toyota Land Cruisers also registered to Azruddin Mohamed.
