Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine has told the court that, based on information available to him, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed—who is currently under U.S. sanctions and has been indicted in that North American county—is a threat to national security and society.
Narine, who heads the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch Unit, made the declaration while being cross-examined during the ongoing extradition proceedings against Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Defence counsel Siand Dhurjon questioned Narine about public statements made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali concerning Azruddin Mohamed and whether they had influenced his involvement in the matter.
The policeman testified he was not aware of any statement by the President describing Azruddin Mohamed as a threat to national security.
However, when asked whether that meant he did not consider the Opposition Leader a national security threat, Narine responded: “Based on information that I have, I would consider Azruddin Mohamed a threat to national security.”
He nevertheless maintained his assessment that the younger Mohamed poses a threat to society.
The defence also suggested that President Ali had instructed Narine to become involved in the extradition matter.
Narine rejected the suggestion, stating: “Definitely not.”
Narine further said that an instruction from the President would be something he would remember, while noting that police officers are not required to follow an unlawful instruction.
“The [police] are not bound to follow an instruction if it is illegal,” he told the court.
The defence also suggested that Narine had been specifically instructed to ensure that Azruddin Mohamed and his father were arrested before Parliament convened the following working day, Monday, November 3, 2025.
The Mohameds were arrested on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Georgetown.
Narine said he could not recall receiving such an instruction, but clarified: “To be clear, I did not receive any instructions of that nature.”
The Senior cop’s testimony is being heard as part of the U.S. extradition request for Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed, who are facing an 11-count indictment in the United States.
The charges against the father and son include wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, stemming from allegations that they participated in a massive scheme to avoid taxes and royalties linked to Guyanese gold exports.
The U.S. indictment alleges approximately US$50 million in lost taxes and royalties from the alleged gold-export scheme involving more than 10,000 kg of gold.
There was also a separate allegation involving more than US$1 million in Guyanese taxes connected to a Lamborghini shipment
The extradition hearing is currently ongoing before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
