“Angry mob” forces GRA to suspend seizure of Mohamed’s vehicles, as High Court battle looms

Last Updated on Saturday, 5 April 2025, 21:10 by Writer

Hours before the High Court was due to hear a case by city businessman Azruddin Mohamed to block the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) from charging him more taxes on several vehicles or have them seized, the tax agency said its agents and police were blocked by an “angry mob” at Mohamed’s residence from seizing those vehicles.

“Mr. Mohamed refused the officers’ requests, and instead, they were resisted from entering the premises by an angry mob inclusive of women and children and live reporters which forced the officers to postpone the exercise and seek police assistance and protection,” the GRA said in a statement. The agency added that a crowd of persons became “violent and angry”, threatening the officials in the execution of their duties. “The officers were forced to retreat in fear for their lives,” the GRA said.

The High Court is expected to begin considering a case Saturday afternoon. The case includes an injunction against the GRA seizing the vehicles pending the hearing and determination of the substantive case. Mr. Mohamed, in court papers, stated that the duties had already been paid.

The requested injunction seeks to forbid and restrain the Respondents, their agents and their servants from seizing the Applicant’s 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser bearing registration number PAB 3000, a 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser bearing registration number PAB 4000 and a 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster bearing registration number PZZ 4000, instituting forfeiture and condemnation proceedings in respect of the said vehicles, or from taking any other steps to realise or enforce the taxes imposed by the Respondents of GY$24,641,272, GY$24,641,272 and $371,775,168 in respect of the said vehicles respectively until the hearing and determination of the substantive proceedings.

The GRA said that contrary to assertions made by Counsel for the Mohameds on Saturday morning, the GRA is not in receipt of any Order from the Court forbidding or injuncting that exercise. The tax agency said as recently as Friday, the same Counsel was so advised that the mere filing of an action is not law until the Court so determines and instructs the Authority otherwise, and that he should so advise his client to comply with the Authority’s demands.

The GRA, which said its officers were wearing body cameras at the scene, accused Mr Azruddin Mohamed of obstructing its agents from executing their duty, saying that he received advance information. “It is clear based on the preparedness of Mr. Mohamed that he was so informed and his intention was not to comply, but rather to obstruct the officers in the performance of their duties,” the agency said.

The GRA said the Mohameds were notified thrice and given the opportunity to engage over the past month to arrange payment of outstanding taxes or produce the vehicles including a Lamborghini, since the period stated in demand notices sent to the Mohamed’s had elapsed, and they had not paid the additional taxes or produced the vehicles to the Authority as stipulated.

GRA said The details of the vehicles to be seized are as follows:

• one 2020 Ferrari PAD 5000 in the name of Hana Mohamed, with additional taxes of GY$479,743, 489 for breach of the re-migrant requirements
• one 2023 Land Rover Range Rover PAC 9000 in the name of Leslie Khan, with additional taxes of $61,485,982 for breach of the re-migrant requirements
• one 2023 Rolls Royce PAE 5000 in the name of Bibi Mohamed, with additional taxes of $320,064,246 for breach of the re-migrant requirements
• one 2020 Lamborghini Roadster PZZ 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $371,775,168 for false declaration of value.
• one 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $24,641,272 for false declaration of value.
• one 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $24,641,272 for false declaration of value.

Mr Mohamed, in his court papers, is seeking several High Court declarations. They are:

1. A Declaration that the vehicle, one used 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster motor vehicle bearing registration number PZZ 4000, is the property of the Applicant;
2. A Declaration that the vehicle, one used 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser motor vehicle bearing registration number PAB 3000, is the property of the Applicant;
3. A Declaration that the vehicle, one used 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser motor vehicle bearing registration number PAB 4000, is the property of the Applicant;
4. A Declaration that as at the times of their respective registrations the said vehicles were lawfully entered in Guyana in 2021;
5. A Declaration that the Respondents’ impositions of taxes on the Applicant in the sums of $371,775,168, $24,641,272 and $24,641,272 in respect of the said three vehicles respectively altogether amounting to 421,057,712 are arbitrary, ultra vires, unreasonable, contrary to natural justice, in breach of the Fifth Schedule of the Customs Act, Cap.82:01, irrational, unfair, an abuse of power, whimsical, capricious and without any legal foundation or authority;
6. An Order of Certiorari to quash the Respondents’ impositions of taxes on the Applicant in the sums of $24,641,272, $24,641,272 and $371,775,168 in respect of the aforesaid three vehicles respectively altogether amounting to 421,057,712 as communicated by letters from the Respondents dated 3rd, 4th and 26th March, 2025;
7. An Order of Certiorari to quash the Respondents’ requirement for the Applicant to present or surrender the aforesaid three vehicles to the Law Enforcement and Investigative Division of the Second Respondent as communicated by three letters from the Respondent dated 26th March, 2025.

The GRA said it was coordinating with the police on that operation, vowing to “take the necessary action to recover its revenues from persons who breach the laws with intent to defraud the Authority of any taxes.”