THE extradition proceedings involving Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, continued on Thursday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, with the prosecution calling Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards.
The witness was called subsequent to a request by Mohamed’s attorney to have the matter adjourned. The magistrate pushed back against the apparent attempt to stall the proceedings, stating, “Yesterday is dead and gone; tomorrow is yet to come.”
Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon told the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court that an email had been submitted requesting the postponement, citing Mohamed’s engagement in the National Assembly during the 2026 Budget Debate, where sittings have reportedly been running late into the night.
Dhurjon argued that it would be oppressive for the younger Mohamed, who is the leader of the We Invest in Nationhood party and the Opposition Leader, to sit in parliament late into the night and attend court each morning.
However, the party leader had been noticeably absent for most of the previous day’s parliamentary session. The prosecution strongly opposed the request.
Leading the state’s case, Terrence Williams, KC, told the court that there is no conflict between parliamentary responsibilities and court attendance, particularly as the extradition proceedings are nearing conclusion.
He further argued that repeated applications for adjournment are unfair to the state.
After listening to both sides, the magistrate decided that she would continue hearing the case. Testimony was taken from Roopchand-Edwards.
The Permanent Secretary testified to receiving documents in relation to the extradition, including a diplomatic note, among other things.
Under cross-examination, the PS was asked several questions in relation to the documents she received and what, if anything, she did upon receiving them.
Cross-examination of the witness was deferred by the magistrate, and the matter was adjourned to today.
Meanwhile, speaking with members of the press outside the courtroom, KC Williams disclosed that a few additional witnesses are still expected to testify.
When asked if any of those witnesses include a minister of the government, he indicated that among those witnesses is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd.
The Mohameds—owners of Mohamed’s Enterprise—remain on $150,000 bail each, have surrendered their passports, and must report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station as the extradition proceedings continue. They were taken into custody on October 31, 2025 following a U.S. request for their extradition.
U.S. prosecutors have accused the father and son of running an international criminal network with alleged links to high offices in Venezuela and the Middle East.
The pair face 11 criminal counts in the U.S. Southern District of Florida involving alleged wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and customs violations tied to what authorities describe as a US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned both men in June 2024 for alleged gold smuggling and public corruption.
The U.S. investigation dates back to the mid-2010s and involved multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Department of Homeland Security.
