Dear Editor,
Reference is made to your recent news report on an alleged extortion plot unearthed by police and the arrest of the culprits and involvement of a Guyanese American operating out of Brooklyn.

Extortion, or shake down as it is called in the USA, is a serious criminal offence. The public should report extortionists to the police for investigation and prosecution. Politicians in the United States of America and elsewhere should and must dissociate themselves with extortionists.

I read reports in the Guyana papers as well as on social media of an expose of an extortion plot involving a couple of local Guyanese and one individual based in Brooklyn, USA. They allegedly sought to shake down a businessman threatening to publish defamatory materials that would have had a negative impact on his business.

The news reports stated that two local Guyanese have been arrested and charged for extortion and placed on bail. They have linked their scam to that Brooklyn-based Guyanese.

A wanted bulletin is issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the Brooklyn-based Guyanese because of his alleged link to the extortion plot. This is the second time a wanted bulletin was put out by GPF for that individual. Coincidentally, the Brooklynite is noted for his race-hate utterances.

In Guyana, as I experienced travelling around and as related to me by individuals I interviewed for a survey, substantial work is being or has been done by the government, under a visionary President in particular, to bring people together. In opposition to bringing a divided nation together is the activities of the Brooklyn-based individual who makes incredible unsubstantiated allegations. He comes across as a rabble rouser. He is engaged in ranting and raving, making unsupported specious claims without meaningful purpose and any workable solution to address problems.

The Brooklynite engages in what political analysts and sociologists refer to as demagoguery rather than constructive critiques of governance. And now his action, as reported by Guyana police, seemingly transcends language in a purported criminal act of extortion.  If indeed the rabble rouser is involved in extortion, then he has taken his mischief-making to a higher level beyond words, and the law should take its course.

What is ironic about the Brooklyn-based demagogue is that he presents himself as a champion or crusader of democracy in Guyana. But is he? Alleged extortion is against democratic concepts and the act is criminal. It is corruption and is against good governance. Extortionists must be condemned and politicians and the public should dissociate from such characters. Whoever engages in and those who condone or support or encourage extortion for money is no democrat, and they must be condemned in the strongest words possible.

Extortionists must be brought to police attention. The Guyanese media recently reported that Vice- President Jagdeo recently called in the police to investigate a purported middle man for using his (Jagdeo) name to extort business people.  The VP did right as did the businessman who reported the two local Guyanese who tried to extort money from him for some defamatory posting as reported by the media. A media operator must not use a publication, even if is social media, to extort or shake down people for cash with threats. The state must not allow an extortion industry to develop in Guyana. Alleged extortionists must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Relatedly, American politicians, Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, in particular, should condemn extortion and dissociate himself from that Brooklyn-based individual implicated in that alleged extortion scheme. Mr Jeffries should state unequivocally where he stands on this issue. His Guyanese constituents and other Guyanese-Americans, including his many supporters, would like to know his position on this serious criminal allegation. The American Black Caucus should also dissociate themselves from such a character and anyone who engages in such indictable criminal offence.

I note from media reports that the Attorney-General in Guyana recently met with some of the highest law enforcement and judicial officials of the USA including from the Central Authority of the Department of Justice, representatives of the FBI, and American Marshalls who are involved in extradition of wanted criminals engaged in criminal acts in America. The two countries are co-operating to root out criminals who engage in unlawful conduct in and seek shelter in each other’s territory.

Criminals, including extortionists, will not be able to seek or obtain refuge in America or Guyana. Law enforcement officials will pursue them. They will not have a hiding hole. Extortion, as I understand the concept, is an extraditable offence. Extortionists and those who engage in criminal offences outside of Guyanese boundaries should be mindful of their unlawful activities including spewing race hate.

Yours Truly,
Dr Vishnu Bisram (PhD)