GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The government is yet to decide on what moves will be made if the United States imposes sanctions on Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed who are critical players in a US$300 million investment in a new shore base at Vreed-en-Hoop.
Speaking during a news conference on Thursday, vice president Bharat Jagdeo said if the US imposed sanctions, the government would have to assess how it deals with those sanctions and take steps to protect the interest of Guyana.
In response to a question from Demerara Waves Online News, Jagdeo said – “The government of Guyana has not been officially informed of any investigations into the Mohameds or what the charges are or what the allegations are at this stage; no official notification.”
A Reuters news agency report, citing intelligence reports and unnamed sources, fingers the Mohameds in drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and money laundering and said if the US government sanctions them, ExxonMobil could be forced to cut ties from the deal.
The Mohameds have denied the allegations and have challenged Reuters to provide the evidence.
Although the Reuters report has linked the Mohameds as close associates of President Irfaan Ali, the Vice President stated that the president would again be the PPP-Civic’s presidential candidate in 2025.
Nazar “Shell” Mohamed is a well-known businessman who operates and owns several multi-million dollar businesses in various sectors, ranging from gold production and export to quarry operations and construction.
Media reports say he is considered one of the wealthiest men in Guyana.
and then 