Guyana reaffirms commitment to combating drug trafficking in collaboration with US

Full statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs

The Ministry of Home Affairs welcomes the significant development in the actions taken today (Thursday, 5 June 2025) by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in sanctioning a number of named Guyanese and foreign nationals as a result of ongoing investigations into the use of Guyana as a transhipment point for drugs destined for the United States of America.

OFAC has imposed sanctions against Guyana Police Force Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, among others, for drug trafficking. In reference to this development, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has taken note and placed Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh on administrative leave with immediate effect to facilitate further investigations. Further action will certainly follow.

The Government, through the Attorney General’s Chambers, will request details from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) via the Department of Justice, a component of the United States Government, to support continued investigations. The information received will guide the actions of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and, by extension, the Government of Guyana.

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 pursue and prosecute offenders. This underscores the Government’s dedication to preserving the integrity of the nation’s security interests.

Furthermore, the Government of Guyana, with the support of the Government of the United States, will continue to pool efforts to combat this threat. Guyana remains committed to collaborating with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking. This was evident in September 2024 when the US-Guyana Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, including the Guyana Defence Force, collaborated to seize 4.4 metric tonnes of cocaine, valued at approximately USD 195 million—Guyana’s largest-ever drug seizure.

The Government of Guyana will continue to work diligently with its US counterparts on this matter and other matters of mutual interest.