US extradition proceedings against Azruddin Mohamed to continue on Friday

Azruddin Mohamed

The extradition proceedings against US-indicted Guyanese businessmen Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed will continue on Friday, November 28, following the full disclosure of supporting documents in court on Monday.

Prosecutor Terrence Williams told Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court that the prosecution had provided the complete set of documents in support of the US request for extradition. He added that the defence is scheduled to make its submissions on Friday.

“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 said.

Williams also noted that copies of the documents were shared with the defence even before arriving through diplomatic channels to ensure timely access.

Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon, however, maintained that not all supporting documents had been provided and insisted that the full set be delivered by Friday.

The father-son duo, who remain on $150,000 bail each, have been indicted by a US grand jury in the Southern District of Florida on 11 criminal charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, primarily linked to the export of gold by their company, Mohamed’s Enterprises.

The indictment alleges that between 2017 and June 2024, the Mohameds conspired to defraud the US and Guyanese governments, unlawfully reusing Guyana Revenue Authority and Guyana Gold Board seals on gold shipments to evade taxes and royalties. Prosecutors say the scheme caused more than US$50 million in lost revenue.

Other charges include alleged mail fraud involving empty sealed boxes shipped from Dubai to Miami, money laundering within the US, and falsifying import documents for a Lamborghini purchased by Azruddin Mohamed in 2020.

The case is set to continue on Friday with the defence’s submissions, after which the court will respond before the extradition proceedings proceed.