Court refuses to remand Opposition Leader over drone investigation near President’s private home

Last Updated on Friday, 4 September 2026, 12:32 by Denis Chabrol

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday refused an application by special prosecutor Glenn Hanoman in the extradition case for Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed because he was being investigated for his presence nearby President Irfaan Ali’s private residence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

“It is universally known that a court cannot act on what is known but can only act on what is proven. There is no basis for this court to revoke or vary the bail of Mr Azruddin Mohamed at this stage. In the circumstances, he remains on bail with bail conditions attached. That is the ruling of the court. It is not what you know. It is what can be proven,” she said.

Mr Mohamed has been on bail since October 2025 pending the outcome of a hearing into a United States request for him and his father, Nazar Mohamed, to be extradited to Florida to face trial for wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.

In an effort to convince the court, Attorney-at-Law Hanoman raised points such as the likelihood of a coup, and the discovery of a drone in Mr Mohamed’s dark tinted vehicle. Saying that Mr Mohamed was interested in the presidency and actions could fuel a descent into an attempted coup.

Responding, defence lawyer Roysdale Forde said efforts to revoke the bail were premature and there was no evidence on any ground before the court to corroborate the claims being made. He said based on the statements by Mr Hanoman showed that there was no likelihood of a charge being made.

Colleague defence lawyer, Siand Dhurjon said the Opposition Leader had gone to the area to investigate information that the President had purchased a one-acre lot adjoining his existing his residence for more than GY$200 million from shell company named Sea Spray Holdings Inc held primarily by a prominent lawyer. “He has function and duty to be to make inquiries at that location as to what really transpired. He has a moral, legal and political obligation to have been there last night,” Mr Dhurjon said.

Earlier Friday, police said they were investigating a report of alleged unauthorised drone activity in the vicinity of the private residence of Dr Ali. At about 6:30 PM on Thursday, police said they received information that persons travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser were allegedly operating a drone over the area.

Acting on the information, police said they intercepted motor vehicle PAB 4000 along the Windsor Forest Public Road, West Coast Demerara. The vehicle was occupied by Mr Mohamed, 35-year-old driver Eugene Thorne and 25-year-old technician Dwayne Ross.

“Searches were conducted on the occupants and the vehicle, during which ranks found a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk. Four cellular phones were also recovered. The occupants, vehicle and items were escorted to the Leonora Police Station,” police added,

Simultaneously, another Police patrol intercepted motor car PXX 5300, driven by 20-year-old Mario Mohamed. A cellular phone was recovered, and he and the vehicle were also taken to the Leonora Police Station.

During separate interviews, Mr  Mohamed denied owning the drone and claimed that it could not be operated within a restricted area. He was subsequently released on self-bail.  Police said Dwayne Ross reportedly admitted ownership of the drone, claiming that he purchased it approximately one month ago. He further stated that his licence to operate a drone had expired in 2023 but that he possessed a certificate.

Eugene Thorne claimed that he travelled to Leonora with Mr Mohamed and Mr Ross to inspect the sea defence. He denied seeing anyone operate the drone or record the President’s residence, according to the police statement.

Mr Mario Mohamed reportedly stated that he was returning from Parika when he stopped at the Leonora seawall to meet Azrudeen Mohamed. He subsequently declined to answer further questions and requested the presence of an attorney, police also said,

Police from Regions 3, 4A and 4B later conducted searches at the residences of Ross, Thorne and Mario Mohamed. Another drone was reportedly found at Ross’ residence, while nothing incriminating was discovered at Mario Mohamed’s residence, police said.