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Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) emerged winners of the latest round of action in the Georgetown Cricket Association/Georgetown City Mayor and Friends Under-17, 100 overs cricket competition.

At the GCC ground, Ravaldo Pereira and Dhanesh Persaud combined for eight wickets to lead the home side to a commanding eight-wicket win over Bel Air Rubis.

GCC skittled out Bel Air Rubis for a paltry 49 in 23.3 overs with Persaud, who bowled a combination of ‘seam up’ and leg-spin, taking 4-10 off 8.3 overs and off-spinner Pereira 4-21 off eight.

Left-arm spinner Nathaniel Sukhnandan took 1-7 off four. Arun Gainda (11) and Marcel Nandu (10) were the leading scorers for Bel Air Rubis.

In reply, GCC sealed victory in 11.1 overs, reaching 50-2. Trilok Nanan struck two fours and a six in 15, while opener Shahid Ramzan ended on 11 not out.

Michael Anthony (1-10) and Jonathan Vieira (1-21) were the wicket-takers for Bel Air Rubis.

At the Transport ground, the home side lost to DCC by 57 runs.

Batting first, DCC made 127 all out from 28 overs with Makai Dowlin scoring 32 off 27 (5x4s), Kaylon Callender making 20 off 50 (3x4s), Jonathan Mentore 17 off 13 (3x4s) and Lomar Seecharran 14 off 15 (3x4s).

Bowling for Transport, Dave Mohabir took 3-19 off seven overs, Andy Ramgoolam 2-9 off five and Emmanuel Lewis 2-55 off six.

DCC, led by Callender (3-6), Jasani Craig (3-12) and Shane Prince (2-33), then skittled out Transport for 70 from 22.5 overs.

Shamar Apple and Brandon Henry with 17 apiece and Lewis with 10 were the only players into double-figures.

The tournament will continue following the conclusion of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Inter-County Under-17 competition, which is set to run from March 30 to April 2.

The post Wins for DCC and GCC in GCA/Mayor U-17 competition appeared first on News Room Guyana.

General Secretary of the ruling PPP Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday pointed to the connections between the Alliance for Change (AFC) and local businessmen Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed, saying that the people will not be fooled again by the AFC, no matter which new face they bring to try and win back political power.

Speaking at a news conference at his party’s Freedom House headquarters in Georgetown, Jagdeo noted the close connection between the Mohameds and AFC leadership, specifically pointing to a meeting involving Azruddin Mohamed, prominent AFC lawyer Nigel Hughes, and AFC General Secretary Raphael Trotman.

“They know this Azruddin and his father went to see Nigel Hughes, and Nigel Hughes brought the political leader of their party—Trotman—to sit in at the meeting because he wanted legal advice from Trotman; Trotman wrote down the legal advice,” Jagdeo stated.

Jagdeo asserted that shortly after this meeting, individuals associated with the AFC began working closely with Azruddin Mohamed.

“Immediately thereafter, all the AFC candidates and people who were working with them in the past started working with Azruddin, all of them. Because it’s another ploy to fool people again.”

Prominent supporters of the AFC have also been consistently sharing content from Azruddin Mohamed’s Facebook page.

Jagdeo said people will not be fooled by the lifty promises of the AFC. This, he said, happened when they campaign on better salaries and working conditions, only to close down sugar estates, leaving people without money for food, causing children to drop out of school.

The Mohamed family came under international scrutiny last year when sanctions were imposed by the United States government, citing allegations of corruption and involvement in illicit activities.

In response, Guyanese authorities have committed to addressing corruption concerns. The cambio licence of the Mohameds were revoked and so were licences for vessels they used for shipping.

Triggered by a Facebook post, the GRA has also levied against the Mohameds saying they either undervalued luxury vehicles to pay hundreds of millions less on taxes or claimed that they were re-migrants to avoid paying duties.

The post Jagdeo says Mohameds aligned with AFC appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Social media activist Melissa Atwell-Holder, known as Melly Mel, has been granted bail following her arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) two weeks ago.

Atwell-Holder, who appeared before Judge Mwangi Francis for a master hearing on Friday, secured a bond in the sum of US$7,500, and will be released from detention once the bond is posted.

Melly Mel, who appeared in court wearing a brown jumpsuit and holding a book, was visibly shaking her head throughout the proceedings. Her attorney, Joyce Booth, addressed the court, clarifying that Atwell-Holder’s case was solely an immigration matter, related to her overstaying in the United States, and not connected to her political activism.

According to Booth, Atwell-Holder entered the U.S. in 2022 and later married U.S. citizen Paul Holder in 2023. The couple has been living together in Brooklyn, New York, for the past two years. Booth further stated that her client has no criminal history, is not considered a threat, and is not a flight risk.

“This is a regular case of overstaying,” Booth stated, requesting that a reasonable bond be set.

Atwell-Holder’s background checks revealed no criminal history, the Department told the Court, supporting Booth’s claims. The 38-year-old activist entered the U.S. on a visa and has been awaiting approval for a pending adjustment of status with U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) since 2023.

Atwell-Holder’s I-130 petition is approved, and the I-485 adjustment of status application is still pending.

Atwell-Holder’s situation raised questions from the judge due to her marriage to a U.S. citizen, which might typically make her eligible for a waiver in such cases. However, her overstayed visa has resulted in her being placed in removal proceedings.

Despite the circumstances, Booth maintains that the case should be treated as a standard immigration issue rather than something more complex. “From my end, this is a regular case of overstaying with no other reason,” she said.

The bond hearing concluded with the decision to set the bond at US$7,500. Once the bond is posted, Atwell-Holder will be released from the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, where she has been held since her arrest.

The post ‘Melly Mel’ granted US$7,500 bail after two-week detention by ICE over visa overstay appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A mother and her son were jointly charged on Thursday with attempting to obstruct the course of justice after the son, who was in custody for investigation into multiple robberies, was allegedly the reason for a bribe offered by his mother to police officers.

Mahindra Girnandan, a 25-year-old labourer from Adventure, Essequibo Coast, and Savita Anauge, a 51-year-old domestic worker from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. The charges were read to both individuals, accusing them of attempting to obstruct justice, in violation of Section 330 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday when Girnandan was in police custody, pending investigations into several robberies. According to reports, Anauge visited the police station and allegedly attempted to bribe two officers with a sum of $1.7 million in exchange for the officers’ foregoing the ongoing investigations into her son’s alleged crimes.

Girnandan pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. Meanwhile, Anauge denied the accusations and pleaded not guilty. She was granted bail in the amount of $300,000. Her case has been adjourned to April 17, 2025, for the disclosure of statements, and further proceedings will take place at that time.

The post Mother and son charged after Police officers refused $1.7 million bribe  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Chinese national Ying Xin Su, a 30-year-old travel agent, was slapped with seven charges of money laundering by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday.

Su, who had previously been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates Court where the gravity of her latest charges was laid bare.

Su was accused of laundering large sums of illicit money through properties and motor vehicles. These assets were allegedly obtained through criminal means, violating the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (Chapter 10:11) of Guyana. She did not enter a plea during her brief court appearance, which was presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty. The court granted Su bail, setting the sum at a hefty $1.5 million for each of the seven charges.

In a related session on the same day, Su also appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrate Court, where she faced a single additional charge of money laundering. For this charge, she was granted bail in the sum of $200,000. All cases have been adjourned to April 17, 2025, for further proceedings.

The charges stem from an investigation that began after a raid on Su’s hotel room at the Princess Ramada International Hotel, located in Providence, East Bank Demerara. On July 9, 2024, officers discovered a staggering sum of $52 million Guyanese dollars, along with foreign currencies amounting to $5,480 USD, $97 Barbadian dollars, and $662 Surinamese dollars. The police also found an illegal firearm and ammunition. The discovery followed suspicions of gold smuggling linked to Su’s operations.

According to Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, head of SOCU, the investigation into Su’s activities had been ongoing for the past eight months, and it was only now that the time was right to charge her. “These types of criminal activities cannot go unpunished,” he stated. “Our investigations will continue, and we are sending a strong message to anyone involved in illicit financial dealings that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.”

The post Chinese woman faces serious charges after Police discover large amounts of cash, firearm & illegal assets appeared first on News Room Guyana.

By Kurt Campbell

kurt@newsroom.gy

In a sharp and unequivocal warning, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that any aggressive actions by Venezuela against Guyana or its key oil partner ExxonMobil would be met with dire consequences.

Speaking during a joint press conference with President Irfaan Ali in Georgetown on Thursday, Rubio stressed that such an act would result in a “very bad day” for Venezuela, one that would not end well for the regime.

“If they were to attack Guyana or attack ExxonMobil, or anything like that, it would be a very bad day—or a very bad week—for them. It would not end well,” Rubio remarked, not revealing specifics but underscoring that the US would take appropriate action.

His comments followed growing concerns over Venezuela’s territorial claims on the Essequibo region, a rich area in natural resources that has long been a source of tension between the two countries.

Rubio noted the US’s commitment to ensuring Guyana’s sovereignty, asserting that such an attack would be “a big mistake” for Venezuela, adding that the US military, particularly the Navy, was more than capable of responding if needed.

Rubio further highlighted that while the US doesn’t engage in threats, the presence of a powerful navy meant that it could act swiftly to defend its interests and those of its partners around the world.

READ MORE:U.S. Navy, GDF conduct joint exercises in Guyana’s EEZ 

“We have a big navy, and it can get almost anywhere. We have commitments that exist today with Guyana, and we want to build on those,” he said. “If that regime were to do something such as that, it would be a very bad move.”

Rubio spoke of the transformative opportunities available to Guyana, particularly in sectors like energy, agriculture, and data technology, areas where he sees potential for both economic growth and regional influence.

“This country has an opportunity to transform. That is rare in the history of nations,” he remarked.

President Irfaan Ali and U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the joint press conference.

But the key to that future, Rubio noted, is security—something the US is committed to helping Guyana ensure. The threat of transnational crime and destabilising forces from neighbouring Venezuela is a significant concern, especially in light of organised gangs and narco-trafficking.

Rubio stressed that preventing these threats from taking root in Guyana was a priority. He pointed to the need for a strong partnership to fend off the potential spread of organised crime and territorial disputes.

“There will be consequences for adventurism. There will be consequences for aggressive actions,” Rubio warned, referring to Venezuela’s ongoing illegal territorial claims over the Essequibo region.

The US Secretary of State’s comments reflect broader US interests in the Caribbean Basin, with Rubio explaining that stability in Guyana could have positive ripple effects across the region.

“Prosperity can become contagious, just like instability can. Stability and prosperity can spread throughout the region,” he said. “This will not just help Guyana, it will help your neighbours and ultimately make life in America safer and more prosperous as well.”

Rubio reinforced the US’s commitment to Guyana, particularly in fostering long-term prosperity and preventing any external threats from derailing the country’s growth.

“We want to make sure that illegitimate territorial claims do not impede your right to develop this country,” he concluded. “You have our full commitment and support.”

The post US issues stark warning to Venezuela: Attack Guyana, and ‘it won’t end well’ appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall said on Thursday that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Police Force now have enough evidence to take action locally against Mohamed’s Enterprise, following sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury last year.

The U.S. sanctions came after an investigation revealed that Mohamed’s Enterprise had evaded millions in taxes by omitting over 10,000 kilograms of gold from import and export declarations between 2019 and 2023.

The Guyana Government and the GRA had long, since July 2024, requested information concerning the revelations of money laundering and gold smuggling allegedly perpetrated by the Mohameds.

The documents were dispatched by the Attorney General with separate requests made by the GRA and law enforcement agencies.

Speaking to the press at the sidelines of the joint press conference between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Dr. Irfaan Ali at State House, Nandlall explained that there had been an ongoing exchange of information between U.S. law enforcement agencies and their Guyanese counterparts. This collaboration, he noted, has provided the necessary evidence to proceed with legal action.

“Since the imposition of the sanctions, there has been a steady flow of information between U.S. law enforcement and us here in Guyana. Based on the data and documents received, both the GRA and the Police Force are now ready to act,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney General further stated that the GRA would investigate the tax evasion allegations, while the police would handle other aspects of the case.

“[The] evidence presents a clear path forward, and I expect action to be taken shortly,” he added.

Nandlall also addressed questions about the potential for criminal charges, stating that the investigation process had been ongoing for several months and that the sufficient volume of information now available had paved the way for local authorities to begin their legal processes.

He said due process would take its course.

He dismissed any claims that the government’s actions were politically motivated. “This is not a political issue. The approach has been objective, driven by evidence, and led by the relevant authorities in Guyana,” Nandlall affirmed.

The Attorney General confirmed that the exchange of information between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Guyana remains an ongoing and fluid process, but with a commitment to acting once enough evidence is gathered.

“We have reached a point where the authorities in Guyana are prepared to move forward,” he said, adding that all actions taken would be in full accordance with the law.

The post Sufficient evidence received for GRA, Police to take action against Mohamed’s Enterprise – Nandlall appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Yuri Garcia-Dominguez, a Cuban national, is no stranger to Guyanese law enforcement, having faced multiple fraud charges. Despite this, he continues to engage in deceptive practices, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday, urging victims to come forward and report their cases to the authorities.

Speaking at his party’s Freedom House headquarters in Georgetown, Jagdeo said he received a call last week that Yuri was back at his ponzi scheme.

The Vice President said a member of parliament reportedly told him that they had invested in Yuri’s scheme last year.

According to Jagdeo, Yuri was in Unity, Mahaica trying to get people to invest in his scheme.

“If it didn’t happen in my village, I wouldn’t have known.

“I don’t know why the people of our country would believe you can get free money like this,” Dr Jagdeo stressed.

He further stated that if business people choose to invest then they are “stupid people” and that he is concerned about elderly people and other vulnerable groups who are duped into investing their monies.

And so, he is warning citizens to report to the police any person who may approach them on behalf of Yuri.

He even went on to urge the opposition coalition APNU to disassociate themselves from Yuri.

“He [Yuri] is telling people when APNU comes back to office, he will get a license,” Jagdeo said.

The Guyana Police Force on Wednesday issued a wanted bulletin for Yuri in connection to 58 counts of fraud.

Yuri and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael, the principals of Accelerated Capital Firm Inc (ACFI), were arrested in 2020 and faced dozens of fraud-related charges.

They were released on bail amounting to close to $30M bail.

In February 2023, police had issued a wanted bulletin for additional fraud charges and failure to report to the police as part of the bail condition.

Some persons who had invested, received some of their monies back, however, the repayment process was subsequently halted after the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) raided the couple’s Coldingen, East Coast Demerara property and seized equipment containing records of their clients.

The post Jagdeo urges victims of Ponzi fraudster Yuri to come forward appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Seam bowling all-rounder Suresh Dhanai emerged the Most Valuable Player- based on the FL Sport App- for American Cricket Society (ACS) on their recently concluded successful tour of Guyana.

Dhanai picked up 10 wickets from five innings at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 5.65.

His best bowling figures was 5-31 in ACS’ victory over the Guyana Emerging Team.

For good measure, Dhanai also snapped up three catches in the outfield.

In the 11 games played, ACS won seven, lost two, while the other two were rained out.

On the batting side, Kevon Boodie was the leading runscorer for ACS with 266 runs in six innings at an average of 53, followed by Akshay Homraj (150), Jonathan Foo (148), Oraine Williams (135), Ramaal Lewis (130), Akeem Dewar (121), Raymond Perez (111) and Jonathan Van Lange (104).

ACS’ leading wicket-takers were Keon Lake (12), Suresh Dhanai (10), Antony Adams (9), Damion Jacobs (8), Trinson Carmichael (7), Yuvraj Dayal (6), Nigel Deodat (5), Moein Khan (5), Deveshwari Prashad (5) and Jonathan Van Lange (5).

Below are the summarised scores from the games played

GAME ONE: Lusignan defeated ACS by 25 runs

SUMMARY: Lusignan Sports Club 143 all out from 24.4 overs (Nigel Deodat 33, Vishwanauth Ramlakhan 23, Kumar Bishundial 23, Karamchand Persaud 22; Damion Jacobs 3-20, Yuvraj Dayal 2-16, Trinson Carmichael 2-19, Antony Adams 2-25) vs ASC 118 all out from 22.4 overs (Trinson Carmichael 22, Ramaal Lewis 21; Nigel Deodat 5-12, Neeran Bani 2-27, Chaitram Balgobin 2-35)

GAME TWO: Match against Demerara Select XI abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield at Lusignan

GAME THREE: Everest defeated ACS by three runs

SUMMARY: Everest Cricket Club 212-5 from 25 overs (Jonathan Van Lange 54, Jonathan Foo 42, Varun Mangal 34, Junior Sinclair 24; Suresh Dhanai 2-26) vs ACS 209-7 from 25 overs (Akshay Homraj 46, Kevon Boodie 40, Karan Ganesh 34, Ramaal Lewis 28; Jonathan Van Lange 2-36, Junior Sinclair 2-41, Nityanand Mathura 2-43)

GAME FOUR: ACS defeated Enmore by seven wickets

SUMMARY: Enmore 143-9 from 30 overs (Rudolph Singh 62*, Dinesh Mangal 24, Ranjet Hiralall 15*; Antony Adams 4-30, Trinson Carmichael 2-17, Suresh Dhanai 2-23) vs ACS 146-3 from 20.1 overs (Kevon Boodie 60*, Akshay Homraj 32, Ramaal Lewis 22*, Karan Ganesh 20; Alex Mahase 2-47)

GAME FIVE: ACS defeated Chesney Sports Club by three wickets

SUMMARY: Chesney Sports Club 156-7 from 25 overs (Jonathan Foo 106; Oraine Williams 2-27, Moein Khan 2-29, Karan Ganesh 2-34) vs ACS 159-7 from 20.5 overs (Kevon Boodie 58, Akeem Dewar 31*, Ramaal Lewis 25; Jonathan Foo 2-15, Safraz Khan 2-30)

GAME SIX: ACS defeated Berbice Select XI by four wickets

SUMMARY: Berbice Select XI 141 all out from 29 overs (Adrian Sukhwa 60, Afraz Budhoo 22; Keon Lake 5-35, Damion Jacobs 2-33) vs ACS 142-6 from 21.5 overs (Oraine Williams 44*, Akeem Dewar 39*, Ronaldo Renee 23; Junior Sinclair 2-22, Matthew Pottaya 2-29)

GAME SEVEN: Match against Number 69 Vikings abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield at Vikings

GAME EIGHT: ACS defeated High Profile by two wickets

SUMMARY: High Profile 244-6 from 30 overs (Richie Looknauth 82*, Ronaldo Alimohamed 41*, Jonathan Van Lange 40, Quentin Sampson 28; Trinson Carmichael 2-18, Deveshwari Prashad 2-59) vs ACS 249-8 from 29.3 overs (Oraine Williams 47, Kevon Boodie 46, Akeem Dewar 43*, Randall Wilson 34; Thaddeus Lovell 2-26, Ronaldo Alimohamed 2-46)

GAME NINE: ACS defeated Bartica by two wickets

SUMMARY: Bartica 138-8 from 30 overs (Garfield Phillips 37, Ronaldo Jeffrey 33; Antony Adams 3-35, Yuvraj Dayal 2-11, Damion Jacobs 2-19) vs ACS 141-8 from 25.1 overs (Francis Mendonca 40; Garfield Phillips 3-22)

GAME 10: ACS defeated Guyana Emerging Team by 20 runs (DLS method)

SUMMARY: ACS 212-8 from 30 overs (Kevon Boodie 57, Raymond Perez 43, Ramaal Lewis 33, Oraine Williams 27; Jonathan Van Lange 3-44, Myheim Khan 2-24) vs Guyana Emerging Team 192 from 29 overs (Rampersaud Ramnauth 52, Urshardeva Balgobin 50, Rivaldo Phillips 29; Suresh Dhanai 5-31, Ramaal Lewis 2-29)

GAME 11: ACS defeated Police Sports Club by 10 wickets

SUMMARY: Police Sports Club 102 all out from 21.5 overs (Kanhaiya Ramkarran 43; Keon Lake 6-21, Nial Smith 2-8, Yuvraj Dayal 2-20) vs ACS 108-0 from 4.5 overs (Raymond Perez 50*, Akshay Homraj 49*)

The post Dhanai voted MVP as ACS completes another successful tour of Guyana appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A 40-year-old resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara was placed on $60,000 bail on Thursday after he denied ownership of an unlicensed firearm that was found in a minibus by the Police.

Courtney John was charged for having an illegal firearm in his possession at Chanta Creek, Soesdyke-Linden Highway on March 25.

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman read the charge to John at the Diamond Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court.

He pleaded not guilty and bail was granted in the sum of $60,000. The matter was adjourned to April 29.

According to Police Headquarters, the firearm was found after police intercepted a minibus during an intelligence-led operation.

A search was carried out in the minibus and a Glock 9mm pistol was found in a bag which was on a seat.

The minibus driver and passengers were taken into custody. John and his wife were among the passengers but John managed to elude the ranks.

Police subsequently managed to locate John.

The post Grove man on $60K bail for possession of illegal gun appeared first on News Room Guyana.