A prominent father and son duo from Guyana, Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, have been indicted in a U.S. federal court in Miami, Florida, facing serious charges related to an elaborate scheme involving the smuggling of millions of dollars worth of gold and the evasion of substantial taxes and royalties owed to their home country. The indictment, unsealed in early October 2025, details an alleged conspiracy spanning seven years, through which the Mohameds are accused of defrauding the Guyanese government of an estimated $50 million.
The Gold Smuggling and Tax Evasion Scheme
According to the 11-count indictment filed in the U.S. Southern District Court of Florida, Nazar Mohamed, who owns 90% of the gold exporting company Mohamed’s Enterprise, and his son Azruddin Mohamed, who holds a 10% stake and is also an elected member of parliament in Guyana, orchestrated a sophisticated operation from 2017 to 2024. The scheme allegedly involved exporting over 10,000 kilograms of gold, primarily through Miami, to destinations including Dubai, without remitting the legally required Guyanese taxes and royalties.
Prosecutors allege that the Mohameds manipulated the system by obtaining official seals and customs declarations for select gold shipments, which would have covered the payment of taxes and royalties. They then allegedly reused these official seals on subsequent shipments, deceiving authorities into believing that taxes had been paid when, in reality, they had not. This intricate method allowed them to circumvent Guyana’s revenue and regulatory systems for a significant period.
In addition to the alleged large-scale evasion of taxes and royalties, the indictment also includes charges stemming from the fraudulent importation of a luxury Lamborghini vehicle into Guyana. Prosecutors claim that Azruddin Mohamed instructed an associate to falsify an invoice to drastically understate the car’s value, thereby evading over $1 million in import duties owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The GRA itself has previously accused the Mohameds of massive underreporting of income between 2019 and 2023, leading to billions of dollars in unpaid taxes.
Miami: A Key Hub in the Alleged Operation
Miami has long been a significant entry point for gold and other commodities from South America, and this case highlights its role in transnational financial crimes. U.S. authorities have stated that the conspiracy involved financial transactions and the movement of payments through bank accounts in the Southern District of Florida, underscoring Miami’s central position in the alleged money laundering and fraud network. The investigation also points to a broader pattern of illicit gold trade and money laundering activities connected to the region.
Charges and Potential Consequences
The federal indictment against Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed includes multiple charges, such as conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, customs fraud, and bribery of Guyanese officials. If convicted of the most serious charges, both father and son could face up to 20 years in prison. The U.S. government is also seeking forfeiture of assets linked to the alleged fraud, including a consignment of gold bars worth $5.3 million that was seized at Miami International Airport in June 2024 as part of the ongoing investigation.
Guyana’s Attorney General has indicated that the country is prepared to facilitate the extradition of the Mohameds to the United States once an official request is made. This development follows previous sanctions placed on the father and son by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2024 for alleged corruption and gold smuggling, further signaling international scrutiny of their business dealings.
Broader Context of Current Affairs News
This case emerges amidst ongoing efforts by U.S. and international law enforcement to combat financial crimes, tax evasion, and money laundering. The involvement of an elected official, Azruddin Mohamed, adds a layer of complexity and concern to the current affairs surrounding governance and economic integrity in Guyana. The charges underscore the global reach of financial crime and the persistent challenges in regulating the precious metals trade. The investigation serves as a stark reminder of the meticulous work undertaken by agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) in Miami and across the nation to uphold financial laws.
As this case progresses through the U.S. legal system, it is expected to shed further light on the intricate methods employed in transnational gold smuggling and tax evasion schemes, impacting both bilateral relations and the integrity of financial markets. The legal proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched, particularly in Miami, a city that has frequently been at the crossroads of such high-stakes international investigations.
