Guyanese businessman Mark “Demon” Cromwell, others sanctioned by US Government

Prominent Guyanese businessman and former police officer Mark Cromwell—known locally by the aliases “Diamond” and “Demon”—has been sanctioned by the United States government. 

Cromwell is among five individuals named in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) latest sanctions update. These sanctions come under the OFAC program “ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059”, which, according to Executive Order 14059, targets individuals or organizations complicit in the global illegal drug trade.

The sanctions list targets persons accused of arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and acts of violence. Alongside Cromwell, the list includes Paul Daby Jr., Randolph Duncan, Himnauth Sawh, and Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo. These sanctions freeze any assets the individuals may hold in the U.S. and prohibit American citizens from engaging in any business or financial transactions with them.

Mark “Demon” Cromwell’s name has long been associated with controversy, both during his time as a police officer and later as a businessman. His criminal history dates back over two decades, beginning in 2003 when he was detained alongside two others after an army patrol found two automatic pistols and live rounds in their vehicle. Though Cromwell was not in direct possession of a weapon, the incident led to internal disciplinary action and marked the start of his troubled public record.

In 2015, Cromwell was again in the spotlight after a large arms shipment, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, was intercepted at the GNIC wharf in Georgetown. The weapons were hidden in a container shipped from Miami and were allegedly linked to his younger brother, Jamal Murphy, who was later charged. Cromwell voluntarily turned himself in during the investigation but was ultimately released without charge. Despite his release, the incident further fueled speculation about his involvement in arms trafficking.

More recently, in May 2023, Cromwell was arrested and charged for assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop. He was accused of attacking Constable Harlequin along with another man, Kessee Edwards. Both were remanded to prison while awaiting trial.

Later that year, Cromwell became a suspect in the kidnapping of former police officer Delon Alexander, who was allegedly abducted by men claiming affiliation with Cromwell. A wanted bulletin was issued for him, but he has not been apprehended and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Despite repeated brushes with the law, Cromwell, known in local circles simply as “Demon,” has maintained a visible presence in the communities of Buxton and Vigilance.

The U.S. sanctions are part of a broader initiative to dismantle criminal networks in the Caribbean and Latin America. According to OFAC, these individuals have been identified as key players in operations that threaten regional security and stability.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.