Guyana Opposition Leader Arrested Twice, Then Released

GUYANA · POLITICS

Guyana’s opposition leader was arrested twice on September 3, 2026, near the president’s home. Police say a drone was found in his vehicle. He was released without charge.

Who is Azruddin Mohamed?

Azruddin Mohamed is a Guyanese businessman and politician. He leads the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, which he founded in May 2025.

In the September 2025 general election, WIN won 16 seats in Parliament, becoming the main opposition party. This broke a 70-year pattern of dominance by two traditional parties.

On January 26, 2026, Mohamed was formally declared Leader of the Opposition. Opposition MPs chose him unopposed.

His rise was swift and unexpected. He went from businessman to opposition leader in under a year.

The September 3 arrest near the president’s home

On September 3, 2026, police stopped a vehicle near President Irfaan Ali’s private residence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. They acted after reports of drone activity in the area.

Those taken for questioning included Mohamed, 39, and his driver Eugene Thorne, 35.

Also detained were the technician Dwayne Ross, 25, and Mario Mohamed, 20.

Two WIN MPs, Dr Gordon Barker and Dr Andre Lewis, a regional councillor, a photographer and another driver were also held. They were later released without charge.

Police say they found a DJI drone in the vehicle’s boot, along with four cellphones. They also recovered a second drone at Ross’s home, according to the Guyana Chronicle.

Dwayne Ross told police the drone was his and that his operator’s licence had expired in 2023. Mohamed denies owning or operating it.

Mohamed was released on self-bail, meaning he signed his own undertaking to return. He was then arrested again late that night, after returning to the sea defence area with several people.

He was broadcasting on Facebook Live at the time; police told him to stop the broadcast. An officer, who was not named in reports, told him “it is alleged that you breached security protocol.

He was released without charge.

What his party says

WIN general secretary Odessa Primus said police kept Mohamed’s phone, laptop, and vehicle. She said he was released without charge.

Mohamed denied owning or operating the drone, according to the Guyana Chronicle. His party says the arrest was harassment.

The opposition AFC party publicly accused the state of intimidation after the river arrests. They say the government is targeting opposition figures.

In court on September 4 his lawyer, Siand Dhurjon, gave an account of why Mohamed was at Leonora.

Dhurjon said his client had gone to look into a claim about land next to the president’s home. That is the defence account, not a finding.

The court refuses to remand him

On September 4, special prosecutor Glenn Hanoman asked the court to revoke Mohamed’s extradition bail over the drone investigation. Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman refused, saying a court “cannot act on what is known but can only act on what is proven.”

He was released without charge, but police say the investigation continues. No charges have been filed as of this writing.

The court’s decision is a setback for prosecutors. It means Mohamed remains free while the probe continues.

It is the second time in weeks that Mohamed has been detained and released without charge. His party and the opposition AFC call the detentions harassment; the government says it is enforcing the law.

The August river incident and bail

On August 26, 2026, a Joint Services patrol stopped a boat on the Demerara River at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. Mohamed was on board.

Police say the boat entered at high speed and ignored sirens. They say a bag was thrown overboard during the chase.

Opposition MPs dispute that account. They say the boat was already docked when officers arrived.

Mohamed was released on GY$100,000 bail (about US$478). MP Natasha Singh-Lewis was released on GY$200,000 (about US$956).

The exchange rate is from open.er-api.com on September 4, 2026. No charge over the bag has been reported.

US sanctions and the indictment

In June 2024 the US Treasury sanctioned Mohamed, his father Nazar, and their company, Mohamed’s Enterprise. The Treasury unit that does this is called OFAC.

OFAC alleged the company under-declared gold exports between 2019 and 2023, avoiding over US$50 million in duties. These are US allegations, not proven in court.

On October 2, 2025, a US federal grand jury in Miami indicted Mohamed and his father. Azruddin Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud; his father faces those plus mail fraud.

Prosecutors allege a scheme to evade more than US$50 million in duties on gold exports. An indictment is an allegation, and both men deny wrongdoing.

The extradition case and the Caribbean Court of Justice

Guyana arrested Mohamed on October 31, 2025, in response to a US extradition request. He was released on bail and ordered to surrender his passport.

The extradition case has been moving through the courts. On July 29, 2026, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) dismissed the Mohameds’ appeal, allowing extradition proceedings to continue.

The CCJ is the region’s highest court. It also turned down a further delay attempt on September 2, 2026.

On September 4 the chief magistrate also refused a defence request to pause the committal hearing.

A separate constitutional challenge sits before the Court of Appeal. It blocks any final extradition ruling for now.

A constitutional challenge to the Fugitive Offenders Act is still before Guyana’s Court of Appeal. Until it is decided, the chief magistrate cannot deliver a final ruling.

Government and police response

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said the 2025 arrest was a legal obligation under the US extradition request. He frames it as cooperation on financial crime, not politics.

The police have not published a formal press release, but a police account has been given to local media. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement saying unauthorised drone operation is illegal and may constitute a criminal offence.

A special prosecutor asked the court to revoke his bail over the drone investigation. The court refused.

The government says it is meeting its obligations under the extradition treaty. The opposition says it is being harassed.

Why it matters for investors

Guyana is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, thanks to offshore oil found by ExxonMobil and its partners. Investors watch how the government treats opposition leaders as a sign of rule of law.

The arrest of an opposition leader near the president’s home raises concerns about political stability. Oil investors watch how Guyana treats its opposition.

The extradition case is now the main test of due process. How it unfolds will signal the strength of Guyana’s legal institutions.

The government insists it follows the law. Investors will judge by actions, not words.

What is confirmed and what is not

Confirmed: Mohamed was arrested on September 3 and on August 26, and released both times. Confirmed: he faces US sanctions and an extradition case.

Not confirmed: what, if anything, he will be charged with in the drone probe. Not confirmed: who threw the bag overboard in the river incident.

Mohamed has not been convicted of any crime. He is charged in the United States but maintains his innocence.

The extradition case continues. Watch for new court rulings and any formal charges in the drone investigation.

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