Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has signalled an aggressive expansion of Guyana’s asset recovery drive, warning that more high-profile seizures of wealth linked to criminal activity are on the horizon as the State intensifies its crackdown on illicit finances.
Speaking on his weekly programme, Issues in the News, Nandlall said the Government is moving decisively toward a modern crime-fighting strategy that targets not only offenders, but also their assets.
He disclosed that authorities are already pursuing multiple major forfeiture cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars, adding that the State will continue to detain, seize and seek forfeiture of assets believed to be proceeds of crime.
“We are working on a number of high-profile forfeiture proceedings in which hundreds of millions of dollars of assets will be forfeited, detained, seized, and/or forfeited. And you will note that all these monies are tainted monies,” Nandlall said, framing the effort as part of a policy shift aimed at dismantling criminal enterprises financially.
The AG pointed to recent court victories as evidence that the legal framework—particularly the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act—is being effectively used.
He referenced a Full Court ruling that upheld earlier orders allowing the State to seize more than $14.6 million and US$7,844 from convicted drug trafficker Jacqueline Caines, after the court affirmed the funds were proceeds of crime and should be forfeited.
Nandlall also cited a recent decision by Chief Justice Navindra Singh granting detention orders to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), allowing authorities to hold more than $80.9 million worth of gold and over $81 million in cash tied to businessman Sebastiao De Oliveira Moura and his company, Gago Gold Inc, as part of ongoing proceedings.
He rejected arguments circulating that the State cannot seize certain categories of funds—including money linked to sanctions—calling the claims legally unfounded.
“The State will take every single sanction cent when the occasion arises. Don’t worry. Every single sanction cent, everything will happen in its time,” he said, adding that the legal process may be slow but would be “very, very sure.”
Nandlall said Guyana is working with regional and international partners, including law enforcement networks and financial intelligence bodies, to track and recover illicit wealth across borders.
He noted the focus on asset recovery reflects a wider global trend of crippling criminal operations by removing their financial base rather than relying solely on prosecutions.
The Attorney General also pointed to legislation including the AML/CFT Act, alongside provisions under the Narcotics and Customs laws, as providing multiple avenues for the State to pursue confiscation of assets tied to illegal activity.
“These are the proceeds of crime… [and] the State is taking it pursuant to the various provisions of our law and depositing it in the Consolidated Fund,” he said, explaining that once forfeited, funds are deposited into the Consolidated Fund in accordance with court orders.
With several cases already before the courts and others in preparation, Nandlall said the public should expect a steady stream of high-profile seizures in the coming months as enforcement ramps up.
He maintained that while legal processes may take time, they are “sure,” and that the State remains committed to ensuring “crime does not pay” in Guyana.
