US extradition case against Mohameds to continue on Friday

The prosecution on Monday made a full disclosure of documents in the court proceedings against US-indicted businessmen Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed when the matter was called again before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Prosecutor Terrence Williams confirmed that the documents submitted to the court represent the full disclosure in support of the request from the United States (US), while adding that the defence is expected to make its submissions on Friday, November 28.

“And the defence has said that they want to make certain submissions on that date. We are prepared to meet those submissions, and the court has kindly set that date for that purpose. So, we will return on Friday to hear their submissions and answer them,” Williams stated. He added that, despite the defence raising concerns about the documents not being properly processed, the prosecution had shared copies even before they arrived through diplomatic channels.
“Well, what has happened is that we were endeavoring to ensure that the defence get their copies as early as possible, and in fact to meet this date. And so, the copies were made from the documents prior to them coming through the diplomatic courier.” The prosecutor further stated that due process and the rule of law are being followed since the court proceedings have commenced against the Mohameds. “A provisional law which allows them to, in an appropriate case, refer it. So, it is quite right and proper that they have their due process,” he added.

Defence Attorney Siand Dhurjon has contradicted the prosecution’s case, stating that not all supporting documents were provided to them and insisting that all documents be handed over by Friday. Both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed remain on $150,000 bail each. The father-son duo has been indicted by a grand jury in the United States (US) District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 11 criminal charges ranging from wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, primarily connected to the export of gold to the US by their company, Mohamed’s Enterprises. The Mohameds are accused of conspiring to defraud the US and Guyanese Governments between 2017 and June 11, 2024. The father-son duo is accused of using a scheme to unlawfully obtain property by transmitting communications via interstate and foreign commerce in violation of US laws.
According to the prosecutors, the goal was to enrich themselves and defraud the Government of Guyana by evading taxes and royalties on gold exports. They allegedly reused Guyana customs declarations and official seals on multiple shipments to make it appear that taxes and royalties had been paid when they had not. 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 allege the scheme resulted in more than US$50 million in lost taxes and royalties to the Government of Guyana.
Additional indictments detail similar conduct involving shipments of gold, emails allegedly from Nazar Mohamed requesting the sealed boxes from Miami, and exports of over 165 kilograms (kg) of gold per shipment destined for Dubai. Charges six to nine focus on mail fraud, referencing the shipment of sealed empty boxes from Dubai to Miami while charge 10 addressed money laundering which alleged that the Mohameds knowingly transferred funds within the US with the intent to promote unlawful activity. The other charge has to do with Azruddin Mohamed’s purchased and imported a Lamborghini sports car to Guyana in 2020. The indictment alleges he directed someone to purchase the car for US$680,000, then falsify the invoice to state a value of US$75,300 to understate import taxes.
The US Government is seeking forfeiture of certain assets connected to the accused. 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 indictment follows sanctions imposed over a year ago by the US Government on the Mohameds, their businesses, and Guyanese Government Permanent Secretary (PS) Mae Thomas in relation to the same allegations. The sanctions are related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kg of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana. Since the imposition of the sanctions, the Guyana Government had suspended the licences of the Mohameds’ various businesses, highlighting that the US-sanctioned businessman is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty, and diplomacy. Subsequently, several Government entities and local businesses, including commercial banks, have cut ties with the Mohameds.