Sanctioned for drug trafficking: “I’ve requested all the information from US Ambassador” – Pres Ali

…as Govt backs sanctions; senior cop sent on admin leave

Following the United States sanctioning a senior officer of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for drug trafficking, President Dr Irfaan Ali has revealed that a request was made to US officials for information so that local authorities can investigate the matter.

Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, a former Police Commander of Region One (Barima-Waini), was among four Guyanese nationals who were sanctioned by the US on Thursday.
The US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Sawh along with Paul Daby Jr, Mark Cromwell (a former policeman), and Randolph Duncan trafficked tonnes of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
These sanctions were issued after OFAC carried out this investigation in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
“I’ve already spoken to the US Ambassador [to Guyana, Nicole Theriot], requesting all the information that is available so that we can proceed with action,” President Ali told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Thursday evening at the Marriot Hotel.
According to the Treasury Department, Sawh “…has ensured safe passage to Colombian and Venezuelan traffickers through Region One.”
Sawh was serving as Police Commander of the Barima-Waini region last September when some 4.4 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of over G$40.7 billion, were discovered hidden in several bunkers near an illegal airstrip at Matthew’s Ridge. He was subsequently removed from that post.
Sawh joined the Police Force on June 3, 2008 and his last posting was at the GPF’s Projects Office.
Following the announcement of the sanctions by the US, the senior cop was sent on administration leave to facilitate further investigations.
In brief statement on Thursday evening, the GPF said “In keeping with the Guyana Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedure, Senior Superintendent Sawh has been sent on administrative leave following him being sanctioned for ‘drug trafficking’ by the United States.”
According to President Ali, that decision was taken by the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken. He said an investigation would be launched soon.
“So, we have to launch an investigation but we have to have information. So, I’ve spoken to the US Ambassador and I know security architecture is also seeking this information,” the Head of State told reporters on Thursday evening.
The Guyanese Leader noted that he was not blinded by this recent set of sanctions imposed on Guyanese by the US.
“We’ve been working together on this security issue, and the US has been talking to us on various initiatives, targeting persons who are involved, whether in formal or informal settings.”
Guyana and US has a very strong bilateral partnership on security and we’ve been working on strengthening security at every level… With the US, we’re working on port security and border security, and we’ve been having a lot of success [in combatting narcotics trafficking,” the president indicated.
Actions will follow
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday said in addition to the senior cop being sent on admin leave, further action will certainly follow.
“The Government, through the Attorney General’s Office, will request details from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) via the Department of Justice, a Component of the United States government, to facilitate further investigations. The details will guide the actions of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and, by extension, the Government of Guyana,” it noted.
The ministry welcomed the sanctions on the four Guyanese individuals as part of continuing investigations into the use of Guyana as a place for transhipment of drugs to the United States of America.
It said, “The Government of Guyana remains unwavering in its commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and dismantling criminal networks that facilitate these illegal activities. Through robust enforcement strategies and enhanced monitoring measures, authorities will continue to fully pursue and prosecute offenders. This underscores the government’s dedication to preserving the integrity of the nation’s security interests.”
Further, the Home Affairs Ministry noted that with the support of the US, Guyana will continue to pool efforts to combat this threat, demonstrating its commitment to working with US counterparts in the fight against drug trafficking.
This, the ministry pointed out, was evident when the US and Guyana’s Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, including the Guyana Defence Force, collaborated to seize 4.4 metric tonnes of cocaine worth approximately US$195 million in September 2024 – Guyana’s largest ever drug seizure.