Azzruddin Mohamed granted bail on fraud charges

There was high drama at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court this morning when businessman Azruddin Mohamed appeared to answer two charges of false declaration and tax evasion related to the importation of a Lamborghini.
The charges stem from a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) investigation into alleged customs misrepresentations by Mohamed. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $500,000 bail.
One of Azruddin’s attorneys, Damian Da Silva, stated that the matter is already the subject of civil litigation between Azruddin Mohamed and the GRA, with all taxes and duties reportedly settled in 2020. He added that Mohamed maintained undisputed possession of the vehicles until March 2025, when the GRA informed him of a new investigation into the matter.
Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin noted the GRA’s authority in tax evasion cases, emphasising the criminal nature and financial scale of the charges. He urged that bail be set to reflect the seriousness of the alleged fraud.
The case is adjourned until June 26, 2025. At the court, Mohamed’s father, Nassar “Shell” Mohamed, was heard hurling expletives at the Guyana Critics and saying he could “cuff him in the face.” There was no response from the Guyana Critics.
Azruddin was later seen descending the court steps without handcuffs, where he engaged the media, proclaimed his innocence, and made damning allegations against senior government officials.
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that the government is neither vindictive nor harbours animosity toward the Mohameds, but it must enforce U.S. sanctions to protect Guyana’s financial system.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the Mohameds and their businesses for allegedly evading US$50 million (approximately GY$11 billion) in taxes on gold sales.