The Guyana government has made a request for further information to be shared regarding the sanctioned police officer, Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh.
Sawh is among five persons recently sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for “ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059”, which, according to Executive Order 14059, targets individuals or organisations complicit in the global illegal drug trade.
In reply to questions from media operatives on the sidelines of a separate event Thursday, President Irfaan Ali said he has already spoken with US Ambassador Nicole Theriot for information about the Guyana Police Force Senior Superintendent.
“So we have to launch an investigation, but we have to have information, so I have spoken to the US ambassador and I know the security architecture and infrastructure is also seeking this information,” the president stated.
The president revealed further that depending on the outcome of the information and investigation, action will be pursued against the embattled officer.
It is alleged that while holding the senior post of officer-in-charge in the Barima-Waini location in Region One, Sawh was connected to a major 4.5-tonne cocaine bust. The drugs were estimated at €176 million (US$195 million) and were hidden in four camouflaged, hand-dug pits.
The president told the media that this bust had been the result of strong partnership and information sharing between relevant security forces. He said that the US and Guyana have been working together on various initiatives targeting persons involved in the illicit activity.
Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh was immediately sent on administrative leave following his listing on the OFAC’s update of sanctioned persons.
