Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has questioned why the Government is seemingly scared of him as he finds himself once again facing down law enforcement officials. This time, he was detained at the Leonora Police Station on Thursday evening over alleged unauthorised drone activity.
The Guyana Police Force said today that the Opposition Leader was among three detained as it investigates alleged unauthorised drone activity in the vicinity of the private residence of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
The force said that at about 18:30 hrs on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Police received information that persons travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser were allegedly operating a drone over the area.
Acting on the information, ranks intercepted motor vehicle PAB 4000 along the Windsor Forest Public Road, West Coast Demerara. “The vehicle was occupied by 39-year-old businessman Azzrudin Mohamed, 35-year-old driver Eugene Thorne and 25-year-old technician Dwayne Ross,” the force said.
Searches were conducted on the occupants and the vehicle, during which ranks found a silver-and-black DJI drone in the trunk. Four cellular phones were also recovered. The occupants, vehicle and items were escorted to the Leonora Police Station.
Simultaneously, another Police patrol intercepted motor car PXX 5300, driven by 20-year-old Mario Mohamed. A cellular phone was recovered, and he and the vehicle were also taken to the Leonora Police Station.
During separate interviews, Azruddin Mohamed denied owning the drone and claimed that it could not be operated within a restricted area. He was subsequently released on self-bail.
Dwayne Ross reportedly admitted ownership of the drone, claiming that he purchased it approximately one month ago. He further stated that his licence to operate a drone had expired in 2023 but that he possessed a certificate.
Eugene Thorne claimed that he travelled to Leonora with Azruddin Mohamed and Ross to inspect the sea defence. He denied seeing anyone operate the drone or record the President’s residence.
Mario Mohamed reportedly stated that he was returning from Parika when he stopped at the Leonora seawall to meet Azruddin Mohamed. He subsequently declined to answer further questions and requested the presence of an attorney.
Ranks from Regional Police Divisions 3, 4A and 4B later conducted searches at the residences of Ross, Thorne and Mario Mohamed. Another drone was reportedly found at Ross’s residence, while nothing incriminating was discovered at Mohamed’s residence.
Investigations are ongoing.
In a video subsequent to being released, Mohamed said the vehicle was searched twice and that nothing illegal was found. He said the drone found in the vehicle belongs to the photographer, who is willing to give Police access to the device to demonstrate that it cannot operate where the President is living in Leonora.
Mohamed questioned what the Government was concerned about and said he would continue representing the people, exposing corruption, visiting communities and highlighting what he described as the neglect of people in the country.
“What is this Government worried over? Why are they so scared of me? I’m representing the people. I will continue exposing corruption and visiting communities and highlighting the neglect of our people in this country.”
Mohamed said that while he was in police custody at the Leonora Police Station, a man was struck down by a motor vehicle mere metres away.
The man’s relatives, who were outside when Mohamed was released on his own recognisance, said that the victim had to be rushed to the Diamond Hospital for a “scan”.
Asked by Mohamed why the man had to be taken to Diamond and not the De Kinderen Hospital, which is closer, a female relative was videoed saying that the “scan machine” at De Kinderen was not working.
Mohamed then said in response, “You see, this is the things they gotta focus on. This is what the President gotta focus on and come off my back”.
