In a WikiLeaks disclosed secret communication of June 29, 2006 between the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Secretary of State with copies to U.S Embassies in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago:
It was noted that infamous Guyanese convicted narcotics and arms dealer Roger Khan was in U.S. custody and others were eager to take his place, also that Khan did enjoy political protection from the Government of Guyana officials at the highest levels.
Excerpts from the message.
“Khan is a known drug trafficker who is believed to have ties with Colombian, Brazilian, and Venezuelan drug trafficking groups. Post does not know that Khan has ties to terrorist groups. Post does believe that Khan has ties to organized crime groups. Khan had access to large sums of money and could purchase whatever technical resources he needed. In 2002, for example, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) detained Khan and two others (including a Guyana Police Force (GPF) officer) after finding them in possession of an armored vehicle, military arms and cell-phone surveillance equipment (ref D). The latter was a Cellular Protocol Analyzer model CSM 7806 manufactured by Smith-Meyers. Khan and the others were hastily released, the charges dropped, and the equipment returned.”
“While active in Guyana, destabilizing elections did not seem to be a priority for Khan. Keeping a pliable PPP in power through a successful re-election suited his interests. However, even in custody Khan could potentially cause great embarrassment to — or even bring down — Guyana’s government by revealing his links with the PPP and the skeletons in its closet.”
“Khan did enjoy political protection from GoG officials at the highest levels. At a minimum, former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj and long-time Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon collaborated with Khan.
The message continued.
“Gajraj (now Guyana’s High Commissioner to India) orchestrated Guyana’s “death squads” in 2002-03 — certainly in close collaboration with Khan. Luncheon (President Jagdeo’s deputy) is known to have intervened and ordered the authorities to release Khan and return his equipment. Also, eyewitnesses say they have seen Khan leaving the President’s office. Ever since Khan’s May 2006 indictment in the U.S. on drug charges, the GoG has tried assiduously to distance itself from him.”
“Even in the unlikely event that the GoG and the security forces were on the same page and determined to go after narco-criminals, their ability to do so is extremely limited. The narco-criminals have entourages of highly-trained, well-armed ex-tactical squad members at their disposal. The GPF cannot compete with them. In addition, corruption and tip-offs are so rampant that the GPF and GDF rarely enjoy the element of surprise.
Even if these challenges were overcome, a successful arrest would stand little chance of progressing through the judicial system. Guyana has not convicted a single drug trafficker of note.”
“Khan was the brashiest of Guyana’s narco-criminals, but he was by no means the only one. Others will certainly try to fill the void left by Khan’s departure from the local scene. Two leading candidates are Bramhanand (Alt: Bramhand, Brammanand) Nandalall and Clayton Hutson (DOB:31-Dec-64). Older than the upstart Khan, they have been active in drug trafficking for many years. Nandalall is the “godfather” of organized crime in Guyana. Khan and Hutson both worked for him before setting them up their own criminal organizations. “
The message went on to say.
“Ambassador met with Home Affairs Teixeira June 23 to discuss Khan and other matters. Teixeira was eager to share her views on the risk and instability that Khan’s capture causes in Guyana. She guesses Hutson might become the next kingpin. She said that Nandalall is keeping very quiet and is rumored to be cooperating with the U.S.
Teixeira warned that Khan’s departure from the scene opens the door for the criminal situation to become more political — she said it will no longer be about “just narcotics, but about ethnicity” as well. She fears that if Hutson uses this opportunity to assume a larger role, then he and his accomplices will pose a serious political threat with the help of drug and gun trafficking.
GoG leaders were comfortable with Khan because they thought he was on their side; the possibility of a new kingpin allied with the political opposition makes them very nervous indeed. Other sources indicate that Nandalall is more likely than Hutson to take over as Guyana’s number one narco-criminal. Judging from Teixeira’s tone, Hutson leans politically towards the PNC/R. Nandalall’s political stance is uncertain, but it is telling that the PPP government has never gone after him during his many years of criminal activity.”
