US drug accused Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan purchased computer telephonic surveillance equipment from the Spy Shop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with permission from the Guyana government, according to Khan’s defence attorney.
In a subpoena to the Drug Enforcement Administration from Defence Attorney Robert M Simels, dated April 28, 2008, it is stated that following Khan’s arrest, “FBI agent Justin Krider investigated Khan’s purchase of the computer telephonic surveillance equipment from the Spy Shop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and found Khan had permission from the Government of Guyana to purchase and possess this equipment.”
Attempts to contact President Bharrat Jagdeo, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds for a response were unsuccessful. Requests to Assistant Press and Publicity Officer in the Office of the President Kwame McCoy to assist this newspaper in making contact with either the President or Dr Luncheon also produced no result.
Simels is seeking the testimony and all documents in Krider’s possession as these relate to the surveillance equipment purchased in Florida.
In a background paragraph the subpoena says that Khan is alleged to have used the equipment to improperly wiretap various high-ranking officials and others within Guyana in order to maintain his “alleged drug organization.”
Guyanese first became aware of Khan when he, Haroon Yahya and policeman Sean Belfield were detained on December 4, 2002 by an army patrol and turned over to the police following the discovery of sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment and arms in a pick-up at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.
When they were caught, Khan and his partners had told law enforcement officials that they were in search of Shawn Brown and the other prison escapees who had fled the Camp Street prison earlier that year. The men were later charged with possession of arms and ammunition and placed on $500,000 bail each.
The charges were subsequently dismissed by Magistrate Jerrick Stephney at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court the next year.
From 1994 when he fled from the US to 2002 when he was caught with the surveillance equipment and arms, Khan had already established himself as businessman and had also secured government contracts working on a building project at the University of Guyana, one of his local attorneys disclosed.
Between 2002-2006 Khan kept a relatively low profile, although according to one of the statements he released when local police had set about trying to arrest him, during that time he had been involved in crime-fighting.
His lawyers told the court in New York that following the February 23, 2002 jailbreak when the escapees went on a killing spree he responded to the crisis, providing financial and logistical support to the government. “During the crime spree in 2002, I worked closely with the crime-fighting sections of the Guyana Police Force and provided them with assistance and information at my own expense.
“My participation was instrumental in curbing crime during this period,” Khan had said in one of his media statements.
The US has since alleged that a group he had set up was responsible for the murders of over 200 people during that period. Apart from the period immediately prior to Khan’s departure from Guyana for Suriname in 2006 because he was being sought by local law enforcers, his only other encounter with the police after the Good Hope incident came when properties owned by him were raided.
According to the subpoena Khan’s defence is also seeking all annual “country reports” for Guyana and Venezuela between 2001 and 2006 including, among other things, documents, reports, e-mails and facsimiles supporting the content of these reports.
They have also asked for documents related to the results of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Information System searches for Khan’s various aliases, which are connected to Guyana and those of Guyanese descent.
wow! we knew all the time he had the backing from the guyana govt . The eqiptments he was found with could only be sanctioned by the govt, but now the govt is hiding they can’t be found to give statement what a shame now information is being revealed what more do they have let it come we all want to know.
Clearly what has happened here the Guyana Government has been directly linked to Mr. R. Khan and his activities. They should all by now have consulted an attorney as their next move.
Why did the govt give permission to a private citizen to purchase this equipment, which should only be purchased by the govt, and law enforcement organizations? Can somebody tell me?
You lost in the wilderness – where you been all these years? This is Guyana we talkin bout – you can do anything you want – once you have the “right” friends!
wasn’t there sometime when the equipment was used,AGAINST THE TOP COP…
My friend if you don’t know as yet let me tell you. In certain parts of this wonderful country that I love. This administration runs on the oil of skulduggery, hence Mr. Khan helping the Government to fight crime.
Amazing isn’t it, a criminal helping to catch criminals! Preposterous in some quarters but in GT with some loving and thriving off the criminal activities it is a possibility and a reality.
Because RAJHA Khan had them all in his POCKET,and now Rajha bucket battam is fallin out day gun drap out waan by waan, he would be taking them DOWN with him one by one they all went together to CRAB DANCE so they all will get”MUD” I just cannot wait to see who used and fed the less fortunate with DRUGS. Assisted and encouraged CRIME and DISHONESTY to such a beautiful nation. Bloggers lets be honest, GUYANA WAS A PLACE TO BE even in the of CHOKE AN RAB
Well well, mouth open story jump out. This revelation renders the Guyana Government ill-equipped to have any involvement in the investigations of the murders that occurred after the jail break.
It is clear here that the Government or persons inside of the Government were involved in runnings with this accused drug dealer and associate in alleged mass murders. Guyana will never be democratic until there is a thorough investigation into these issues, and those involved are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
This Govt needs to step aside and let an “INTERIM MANAGEMENT COUNCIL” run the affairs of the country until an election is held.
It is said so very often that DRUG BARRONS WERE NEVER PROSECUTED in Guyana. that makes it quite OBVIOUS!! MID-NIGHT IS TURNING INTO DAY-LIGHT on this case, I do hope that the Americans keep a TIGHT watch on these officials in what ever position they may be occupying.
Do you see the nexus folks ? This issue of Khan and the Govt. has strong implications for Good Governance vis-a vis democracy in Guyana. “What a tangled web is woven when we practice deception.” There is more to come out folks. There is more. Our beloved country is under seige by the very elected high ranking officials. Why????
u asking y alistair?bcause there’s a certain section of the guyanese population who r bent on keep electing ppp to don’t matter what’s the consequence for the rest of us.what a shame in these modern times!!!when r we going to elect a real twenty first centry gouvernment?
The time has come for the Govt. including his Excellency, President Jagdeo to come clean with the truth or continue to be embarrassed in the open.
The public was well aware of these connections along time ago. Spit press need no POLYGRAPH.
Come on president, prime minister, home affairs minister, head of the presidential secreteriat and all involved. Let’s see your guts as leaders. Say who are harbouring the drug lords in Guyana. Come on Guyana police force. Where is your force and authority. Show your face and rise to the call of Guyana and the international world. Prove that your hands are clean.
What face, it is practically impossible to point out criminals when you are part and parcel of the whole problem. They probably will not even show their pinky finger much less their faces.
It is a crying disgrace!
Mouth open story jump out…this is going to get very interesting. I can imagine the top brass of the Government huddling behind close doors trying to figure out how to counter this one. *SMH*
This is simple. The police could not catch the criminals and since there were insiders in the police force the only option was to get a civilian to gather intelligence and control the criminals.
A civilian doing what? where in the constitution is this legal? Guyana is governed by the rule of law, and the President swore on the bible to uphold all the laws of the country faithfully. Civilians doing police work is a recipe for corruption and private execution of the people that civilians doesn’t like. Mr Raymond Persaud your PPP is incompetent and should not be allowed to rule anything much less a dying country.
Where do you come up with these half cooked statements!
Why don’t you follow the saga, and stop with your armchair editorialising!
Same thing I was saying all along. The government had to have some idea of what was taking place all the while. Now look how they have embarrass themselves in the public eye. What explanations can Jagdeo government give now that they have been exposed. More is yet to be unfolded. See, mouth open and story jump out. Thank heavens that it is the US government that has Roger Khan there and they are doing a thorough investigation. The Guyana government can’t help him now, so we will see what is going to happen. Keep on going US, you have caught a big one and you will find out more about what has been going on down in Guyana there. I cant wait to hear the rest.
Me too. I cannot wait to see the drama unfold. I bought a six pack pepsi, got bar-b-que flying fish I got from the bajans & reserved front seat at the Theatre to watch the drama unfold. Come join me folks it will be like therapy to mind, body & soul.
This is no surprise to me. I knew that Khan was involved with the govt. I hope the US Govt is taking notice. Those who profit from crime are criminals. More exposures are to come. I agree with Freddie, The PPP is totally corrupt and those who back them are equally so.