IN a historic move underscoring the growing international co-operation between Guyana and Canada, the Government of Guyana has successfully extradited fugitive Harry Narine Rajkumar to Canada, marking a milestone in bilateral law enforcement efforts against transnational crime.

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Rajkumar was extradited to Canada, where he faces multiple criminal charges. This marks the first successful extradition between the two nations, reinforcing their shared commitment to upholding justice beyond borders.

Rajkumar had been wanted by Canadian authorities since May 2019 after fleeing from law enforcement. His arrest in Guyana followed an INTERPOL Red Notice, which enabled the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to track his movements. After evading capture for several years, Rajkumar was finally apprehended, committed to prison, and subsequently waived his right to an extradition hearing. He consented to return to Canada to face charges, which include: Attempted Murder in violation of the Canadian Criminal Code; and Aggravated Assault in violation of the Canadian Criminal Code (Ottawa jurisdiction).

Upon his arrest, Canadian authorities swiftly submitted an extradition request, which was processed through Guyana’s legal framework. The case was presented before Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty, where Rajkumar formally agreed to his extradition.

The successful extradition was made possible through a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies. The prosecution team was led by Ms. Lisa Cave, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions at the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, along with Ms. Ormella Gladstone, Treaty Officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Sergeant Stephan Hinds from the Major Crimes Unit, supported by other law enforcement officers.

This milestone underscores Guyana’s unwavering commitment to international law enforcement co-operation and its dedication to ensuring that justice prevails, irrespective of geographic boundaries. It also sets a precedent for future collaborations between Guyana and Canada in addressing cross-border criminal matters.

With this successful extradition, Guyana reaffirms its stance as a key player in the global fight against transnational crime, strengthening its diplomatic and judicial ties with international partners in the pursuit of justice.