GRA vows to appeal court ruling barring them from seizing luxury vehicles
Apr 13, 2025
Kaieteur News- The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced its intention to appeal Friday’s decision by High Court Judge Justice Gino Persaud to uphold an injunction he had granted, barring GRA from seizing luxury vehicles owned by Azruddin Mohamed and his family, until the substantive case is heard.
Commissioner General of GRA, Godfrey Statia
The Revenue Authority is going after the luxury vehicles, claiming that the Mohameds failed to pay over $1.2 billion for those vehicles. Arguments on whether the interim order should remain in place until the conclusion of the substantive matter began Friday morning. Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon, representing Azruddin and Hannah Mohamed, explained that arguments before Justice Persaud lasted for over two hours. He was accompanied by attorney-at-law Damien DaSilva, while Sanjeev Datadin, Robin Stoby, Jason Moore, and others appeared for the GRA.
When the hearing resumed on Friday afternoon, the judge delivered a detailed ruling, concluding that the balance of justice required the preservation of the status quo, while the court hears further submissions and determines the substantive issues, including alleged tax breaches and violations of remigrant conditions. This means no vehicle seizures should occur until the substantive issue is fully heard and determined. The case comes up on May 15.
Justice Gino Persaud
In a statement issued on Friday night, GRA said it will be challenging Justice Persaud’s ruling to extend the restraining order.
Azruddin Mohamed, for his part, has claimed that the People’s Progressive Party government is behind GRA’s move to seize his vehicles. He has alleged that it is politically motivated, stemming from PPP fears that he may contest the upcoming elections. However, GRA has maintained that it possesses “irrefutable evidence” of breaches, including the understatement of the value of certain vehicles.
GRA cited the lack of a bond, which is typically required to ensure the preservation of assets during legal proceedings, as the reason to move forward with an appeal.
“The GRA will lodge an appeal against the ruling, since the preservation of assets is not assured, and no bond has been lodged as is usual in these circumstances. The case has drawn significant public attention, as it involves high-end vehicles reportedly imported under duty-free concessions meant for returning Guyanese citizens,” the Authority said.
Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed
Details revealed by GRA are as follows:
- One 2020 Ferrari PAD 5000 in the name of Hana Mohamed, with additional taxes of $479,743, 489 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
- One 2023 Land Rover Range Rover PAC 9000 in the name of Leslie Khan, with additional taxes of $61,485,982 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
- One 2023 Rolls Royce PAE 5000 in the name of Bibi Mohamed, with additional taxes of $320,064,246 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
- One 2020 Lamborghini Roadster PZZ 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $371,775,168 for false declaration of value.
- One 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $24,641,272 for false declaration of value.
- One 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with additional taxes of $24,641,272 for false declaration of value.
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