“Masterclass in delay” – Prosecutor as hearing for US-sanctioned Mohameds drags on – US extradition request

The extradition case involving United States(US)-sanctioned and indicted Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed has been dragging on, with the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, still under cross-examination after more than two months on the witness stand.
Prosecutor Glen Hanoman told reporters outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday that the extended examination displays a deliberate delay in the proceedings.

“We’re inching towards the end of cross-examination of the first witness. That witness was first called on the 6th of January, so she’s been under cross-examination now for about almost two and a half months, a masterclass in delay,” he said.
Roopchand-Edwards, during her examination, has been detailing the handling of US extradition documents, including Diplomatic Note No. 417, which she said was received on October 30, 2025, along with supporting materials that launched the extradition request.
During questioning, she confirmed the documents were recorded in the Ministry’s correspondence books and her own office logs, though some procedural details, such as courier signatures and staff acknowledgements, were missing.
Defence Attorney Roysdale Forde explained outside the court why the lengthy cross-examination has been necessary.

“The documents indicated that the material that she said that she received was not properly recorded both on the 26th of November and the 30th of October. They also revealed that there were multiple entries. The entries were not made to reflect any consistent pattern with the evidence given by the Permanent Secretary,” he said.
He also highlighted that the official logs provide no clear record of who delivered the documents, what was received, or when.
Despite the defence’s concerns, Roopchand-Edwards affirmed that the materials bore official US seals and were forwarded promptly to the Ministry of Home Affairs, under Minister Oneidge Walrond. She also testified that a note was sent to the US Embassy on December 3, 2025, seeking assurances under Article Seven of the extradition treaty, explaining that the correspondence was “something to that effect” in the context of potential legal issues.
Commenting on the progress of the case, Hanoman added, “I know that there are more witnesses to take the stand, but at the rate we’re going, it looks as though it will last quite a few more months.”
Cross-examination is scheduled to continue today.
The extradition case stems from US sanctions imposed in June 2024 against the Mohameds over alleged gold smuggling and money laundering.
Nazar Mohamed, 72, and Azruddin Mohamed, 39, were indicted in a US court in October 2025.
American prosecutors alleged that the two men were involved in a long-running operation involving the export of gold in a manner designed to avoid paying taxes and royalties owed to the Government of Guyana.
Prosecutors allege that from 2017 to 2024, official Government seals taken from a single legitimate gold shipment were reused to validate several additional shipments.
The indictment stated that Mohamed’s Enterprise would pay taxes and receive official Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Guyana Gold Board (GGB) seals for one shipment, then reuse those same seals and documents on subsequent, untaxed shipments.
The indictment further alleges that the Mohameds arranged for empty wooden boxes bearing intact GRA and GGB seals to be shipped from gold buyers in Dubai to Miami and then sent to Guyana. These boxes were then used to export gold while falsely appearing to have cleared customs and tax obligations.
US authorities estimate that the alleged scheme resulted in approximately US$50 million in lost revenue for the Guyanese state.
Nazar Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and mail fraud.
Azruddin Mohamed faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud and is also accused of avoiding more than US$1 million in taxes linked to the importation of a Lamborghini from Miami to Guyana.
If convicted, most charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines of up to US$250,000, while the money laundering charge carries a fine of US$500,000 or the value of the laundered property.
The US Government is seeking forfeiture of certain assets connected to the accused.
The Mohameds are currently out on $150,000 bail each, as they continue to fight their extradition from Guyana.