Toolbox

Roger Khan had govt permission to buy surveillance equipment -lawyer

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.

Comments

About Comments

We reserve the right to edit/delete comments for length, any libel and taste. We moderate all comments so be patient while your message waits to be approved.
Curious about the little images next to each commenter's name ? Go here and sign up using the same email address you used to register for Stabroeknews.com then upload your image and confirm it.
We recognized that the registration process was troublesome to some users. So now in addition to being able to fully register and subscribe with a username and password, you can also comment on the articles by simply entering a name and email address. If you are a frequent commenter, you will want to login so you don’t have to re-type your name and email address everytime you make a comment.

106 Responses to “Roger Khan had govt permission to buy surveillance equipment -lawyer”

amen-ra
on June 8th, 2008 5:30 am

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.

[Reply to this]
The On-Looker
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 2:04 pm:
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.

[Reply to this]
amen-ra
on June 8th, 2008 5:32 am

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?

[Reply to this]
opgy
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 11:59 am:
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!

[Reply to this]
Empress
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 5:00 pm:
wasn’t there sometime when the equipment was used,AGAINST THE TOP COP…

[Reply to this]
nuaveb
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 2:25 pm:
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.

[Reply to this]
justice4all
on June 8th, 2008 6:55 am

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.

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 1:18 pm:
This Govt needs to step aside and let an “INTERIM MANAGEMENT COUNCIL” run the affairs of the country until an election is held.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:02 pm:
Badlall:

That is one to see. Until you become GOODLALL & I stop fueding with the Bajans for flying fish that will never happen.

Get Informed
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 4:35 am:
Fully agree; we need to orchestrate this motion!
Alistair
on June 8th, 2008 7:04 am

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????

[Reply to this]
gideon
In reply to the above comment on June 15th, 2008 1:53 am:
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?

[Reply to this]
Alistair
on June 8th, 2008 7:40 am

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.

[Reply to this]
oli
on June 8th, 2008 7:47 am

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.

[Reply to this]
nuaveb
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 2:28 pm:
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!

[Reply to this]
jamoon
on June 8th, 2008 7:51 am

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*

[Reply to this]
Raymond Persaud
on June 8th, 2008 8:20 am

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.

[Reply to this]
cochore
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 10:15 am:
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.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 1:18 pm:
Here, here, I agree with you cochore!!
Well said!!!

bluegrass
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 3:50 pm:
which bible did he swear on?.
did you see him swear on a bible.

La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 12:16 pm:
Where do you come up with these half cooked statements!
Why don’t you follow the saga, and stop with your armchair editorialising!

[Reply to this]
angel37
on June 8th, 2008 8:39 am

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.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:09 pm:
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.

[Reply to this]
vijaysingh
on June 8th, 2008 8:58 am

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.

[Reply to this]
Suresh
on June 8th, 2008 8:59 am

To my understanding, the “Spy Shop” in Florida was operating legally, selling equipment legally. Why did Mr. Khan need any permission and what is the illegality here? Civilians often assist government’s and law enforcement agencies in many ways, even in the developed countries and given the way the law enforcement agencies were operating in Guyana, they needed all the help they could get.

[Reply to this]
cochore
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 10:22 am:
Khan needed Gov’t assistance to bring the equipment back into Guyana, because it’s against the laws of Guyana to have civilians behaving like the Police.
Could you imagine the consequences if this is allowed? 200 dead would become 2000 and still counting.

[Reply to this]
Suresh
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 12:32 pm:
Which law did Khan break by bringing those equipment into Guyana? Spy equipment can be purchased in any electronic store in North America and probably in Guyana itself. Does that mean that civilians are behaving like police in these countries?

La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 1:20 pm:
where in guyana can u purchase those equipment that RK had?
why you equating us law with guyana?

Suresh
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:23 pm:
You missed the point…those equipment can be purchased from any electronic shop. Guyana has a free import/export trading regime, if there were a large demand those equipment could be imported without any permission.

Regarding the equating of US law with Guyana, maybe Guyana laws need updating!

amen-ra
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 10:24 am:
Yes Suresh the spy shop in Florida was operating legally. but my question is if a private citizen wants to help he can give information as an informant, not a vigilante. Even in the United States a citizen can purchase this equipment for their own purpose, but not to tap my phone and listen to my phone calls. That would be illegal, and even the US govt has to go to a court to get permission to tap one’s phone and listen to your conversations. Did Roger Khan get that permission from the courts of Guyana? Answer that question for me.

[Reply to this]
Suresh
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:40 pm:
Amen-ra, When a US citizen purchases that spy equipment what exactly would “their own purpose” be if not to spy? And yes, even the US government has to go to court to get permission to tap one’s phone and listen to your conversations but before any court grants that permission, they have to get “probable cause”. How do think that “probable cause” is obtained? And are we forgetting who the US Government recruited to help them fight Castro?

Governments do no operate in legal or moral absolutes! They have to function according to the pragmatic requirements of the situation. Are we forgetting that a murderous band of criminals were threatening to overrun the country at the time. Also, are you also forgetting that the 5,000 man security forces were either unable or unwilling to contain the situation.

bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 10:07 am:
We are keenly aware of the fond feelings Guyanese Indians have towards Roger Khan’s questionable crime fighting efforts. However, please do not insult the public’s intelligence by advancing flawed arguments on his and the government’s behalf.

The sophisticated surveillance equipments that Roger Khan purchased are only authorized to be used by the state police. Therefore, permission had to have been granted by the government for him to import such espionage apparatus.

The question before us is not the legality of the purchases- it is whether the government knew or ought to have known of the illegal activities conducted with said instruments. Many feel the answer is “yes”.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
on June 8th, 2008 9:01 am

Jagdeo said they knew nothing of RK’s illicit activities.
How will Jagdeo counter this?
We are waiting!!!!

[Reply to this]
blueboyy2k
on June 8th, 2008 9:24 am

Indeed, mouth open, story jump out! This shows the “good” governance of the current Government. They are just concerned with THEIR well being and not that of the people.

It’s not a surprise to me about those surveillance equipment which was approved by the Government for Mr. Khan. They needed someone to “wipe out” the notorious gangs of criminals(that strangely enough are supported by evil minded Guyanese, including some readers in this column), as the Police Force is a joke, as they cannot protect our people. Who else could they turn to? The Army? Everywhere you turn in Guyana you see bandits, including, as strange as it sound, the politicians! Where are we going as a nation? How could Guyana get better? You be the judge(s).

[Reply to this]
vatvic
on June 8th, 2008 9:49 am

As a Citizen I am ashamed of this cabal of hypocrites AKA the ppp.
If I remember correctly a commissioned officer of the GDF did make some interesting comments to the press at the time of the ‘discovery of the equipment’ regarding instructions he received on-scene from a senior officer.
Any DEMOCRATIC government, in light of this single fact of sworn testimony by the FBI, (can we call that a ‘fact-truth’?) would resign office by Monday June 09th 2008. But this being a ‘whatever-democracy-for-the-International-Financial-Institutions’ The Sensible Citizens won’t be holding our breath.
Finally, the murder-spree cost the lives of approximately 300 young persons innocent or not we will never know. Only this, That cluster of time will be on the conscience of Guyana’s unborn - courtesy of the ppp

[Reply to this]
sandy
on June 8th, 2008 9:50 am

Sing, little sparrow, Sing!!!

[Reply to this]
bvbocan
on June 8th, 2008 9:53 am

Oh dear! What have we here? The story unravels.

[Reply to this]
Raj
on June 8th, 2008 10:07 am

This new revalation is enough for the Opposition to call for the government to step down. Guyana has become the new Columbia under the Jagdeo government. This Roger Khan situation is scandalous.

[Reply to this]
Carl
on June 8th, 2008 10:39 am

President Jagdeo must immediately confirm or deny Roger Khan’s allegation on the purchase of the eavesdropping equipment. There must be no equivocation, no reference to the opposition, no calling upon the U.S. to provide more information, for Khan through his lawyer has made a specific claim; so the government of Guyana must either confirm or deny the claim.

While we await President Jagdeo’s response, I would like to advise the government of Guyana that the U.S. will one day in a court of law provide all the additional information that President Jagdeo and others have been conveniently calling for.

It’s only left to be seen whether or not the information will be provided during the prosecution of any of those who are constantly urging the U.S. to provide more information.

[Reply to this]
Arcadia Terry
on June 8th, 2008 10:42 am

TIME IS LONGER THAN ROPE , the truth will come out when you are facing life if convicted …….I hope the families of those people who were executed ,and not tried by a court of law are watching and learning who was given full support to commit the extra judicial killings of their loved ones. TO SOME MEMBERS OF THE GUYANA POLICE FORCE SHAME ON YOU, FOR THE TOTAL BREAK DOWN OF LAW AND ORDER IN THE COUNTRY UNDER YOUR WATCH.

[Reply to this]
justice4all
on June 8th, 2008 10:46 am

There is nothing under the Laws of Guyana that support the Government using civilians for espionage or any other purpose when it comes to crime fighting. The power and authority to carry out functions associated with Law Enforcement in Guyana reside in an oath of office administered to members of the force by someone gazetted as a commisioner of oaths and affidavits, and taken by such members of the force. The fact that people are attempting to justify this with facetious generalizations about Governments usually using civilians to fight crime is demonstrable of the phenomenon that truth plays second fiddle to ethnic affinity when it involves issues of politics, crime, or anything else in Guyana.

Citizens are duty bound to render assistance to members of the force on being called upon so to do under a specific section of Police Duty and Powers. The last refuge of hypocrites is to make it up as they go along, willing to advance any nonsense in pursuit of the partisan goal. And that goal is tenebrous only to those who do not pay attention.

The idiocy in the argument that vigilanteism is justified by virtue of the fears of some segments of the population and the perceived non peformance some agency of Government is that it ignores the widening of that argument. Because why should only one segment of any population group have the right to outside the law to seek redress for perceived ailments when they believe that the state agency responsible for providing such service is non functional. The same people who advance these sophomoric arguments would be the ones most voluble in opposition to others exercising an option they stridently defend for themselves. Again, a present day replica of the Orwells revolutionary pigs exhibiting the equal and equaller logic in their presentation.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:21 pm:
Bravo!! Well said. Here is our next Presidential candidate.

[Reply to this]
brownboy14
on June 8th, 2008 10:49 am

It is interesting as the print media gives us tit-bits of releases made from the Roger Khan saga. I don’t pretend to be the new prophet, but I do wish to ask the question was Roger Khan a US-Guyana plant and the deaths probably collateral damages. I posit that none of what have occurred have made any sense. Someone was at sleep at the wheel, from the top to the bottom there is smell of corruption and the deafening silence does not auger much confidence in the PPPCivic Government. Answers are needed, the opposition led by the AFC must hold the government feet to the fire. Vigilance of the Guyanese citizenry should and must be evident at this epoch, a testimony of their enlightenment and maturity.

[Reply to this]
amen-ra
on June 8th, 2008 10:50 am

To Raymond, Suresh, and Blue Boy what are you guys trying to say it’s all right for a private citizen to posess this surveillance equipment and phone tapping device. Well if so the Guyana govt should give all citizens a license and a gun and tell them to go hunt criminals and do whatever you have to do to bring them in. Well if so let’s just disband the GPF and the GDF because we have the citizen to do law enforcement work.

[Reply to this]
gtmassive
on June 8th, 2008 11:27 am

Way to go! USA, USA, USA! The pot keeps getting hotter. We are going to see who will get burn.

Why is Jagdeo not running his mouth on this one?

[Reply to this]
nuaveb
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 2:31 pm:
Even though I am not a fan of the US i do appreciate their justice system because it works and rarely shows any favouritism.

Drug lords actually get tried and convicted there! WOW! lol

[Reply to this]
rick10156
on June 8th, 2008 11:37 am

The revelation of Govenment’s involvement with Roger Khan may be a surprise to many,but you don’t have to be politically astute to understand the broader implication.
The chickens are now coming back to roost. Look out for more bombshells Guyanese. Acting police commissioner and management team of the army, speaks volumes to the mistrust the Govt has in the leadership of the security forces. There may be many more Roger Khans in both the army and police force as well as in private citizenry.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:25 pm:
Well said. Move over Clement Rohee. He will be taking your position.

[Reply to this]
sunshine
on June 8th, 2008 11:48 am

Was this equipment bought to spy on the former head-cop and other who work by the books,’you cannot put a cat to watch the milk’,he is going to sing a lot more,because he is in the hole and everyone else is out having their freedom, Guyana only have a population of about 750.000 people and everybody knows what’s going on in Guyana except the government.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:26 pm:
It is a shame on the government.

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
on June 8th, 2008 12:32 pm

This Govt should resign. Roger Khan is safe in New York and he will sing a song. Jagdeo is in trouble no freedom of information act needed here “GOD “bless America.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:28 pm:
Well since Roger Khan is singing. We have to sign him to a label & give him a major record deal. Ensure it goes platinum. I would suggest he be assigned to BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT. Diddy got work for him as his foot stool.

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
on June 8th, 2008 1:07 pm

To the new newspaper in Guyana “Guyana Times” now is the time to prove yourselves i will be waiting to see if they will report on this story. Forget Chronicle.

[Reply to this]
TKhemraj
on June 8th, 2008 1:07 pm

Well, this is what you get when a government is being run by the quasi-educated who are afraid to make tough choices. They (the PPP) knew as at Oct 5 1992 that political forces in the opposition – who draw substantial sympathy from elements in the army and police – will attempt to destabilize the government.

Because the PPP did not do what was needed it had to resort to a drug pusher to take the fight to the freedom fighters. It simply could not rely on the army and police. It never made the tough choices and critical actions that were needed. There had to have been a quid pro quo. Roger Khan did not do this out of altruistic motives. In any proper society, this President would have to go. But not in Guyana.

[Reply to this]
Empress
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 5:06 pm:
TKhemraj…thing happening in broad daylight here…this is not a bottom house meeting.
Learn to call it like YOU see it….BRATHER.

[Reply to this]
justice4all
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 8:03 am:
How could this could be true when while all of this was going on members of the force and the black community were in a battle with each other. This is an example of simplistic reasoning. If the PPP could not trust a force that was extra-judicially gunning down many of the constituents of its opposition, what is the standard it required in order to trust such force. And if this mistrust had a basis, how come with little change in the current ethnic make-up of said force the PPP is still in power after 16 years.

The problem is that people will advance the most facetious of reasonings in order to lend some justification for these killings. And that is what is sad about Guyana. That even those who supposedly are balanced in their outlook would go that extra mile to sanctify a gross wrong.

[Reply to this]
TKhemraj
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 6:37 pm:
I suggest you read Professor Ken Danns’ “Domination and Power” and then say whether Indians like me must trust this army and police force. And what role did they play in the kick-down-the-door phenomenon of the 1980s?

By the way, do you think if this army and police force were talking orders from Hoyte/Burnham a bunch of people calling themselves Indian freedom fighters would be able to exist for so long? Would they have been able to terrorize a dominantly African village for so many years as happened to the mainly Indian Annandale?

I find it hard to believe that President Jagdeo’s tinkering with the top of the army and police can reverse 28 years of self defeating path dependence that was placed in motion by LFS Burnham.

I do not for one moment believe that the army and police are devoid of decent people who are willing and capable of doing their jobs professionally. But I would be stretching it far if I say these key institutions have not been compromised many years ago. By the way, what was Mr. Hoyte alluding to when he invoked the “kith and kin” sentiments?

Finally, extra judicial killings of young black males – which reached a peak (perhaps a local peak and not a global one) during the Hoyte Administration – must be avoided at all costs. And those in this current Administration who resorted to extra judicial means to rebuff the people who called themselves African freedom fighters must be brought to justice.
gtking48
on June 8th, 2008 1:54 pm

My million dollar question is where is the computer now???Both branches of the arm services vehemently denied having receipt of it.Does it mean that the politburo (DICTATORHOUSE-FREEDOM HOUSE) is in possession of it and the politburo REPLACED KBG AGENTS AKA DRUG DEALERS are working diligently undercover as this saga unfolds.
In an unrelated comment why was the so called business man, from whose phone a threatening call was made to Corbin , arrested and then immediately released by the police??? Did the Kremlin have anything to do with it???Moreover was it because Corbin put the spotlight on their ex Kgb agent Roger Khan on the front burner??
We John Q AND JANE Q public were cognizant about these events before but thank you very much STABROEK NEWS for placing it in the public domain for the world to see.

[Reply to this]
Carl Veecock
on June 8th, 2008 2:17 pm

Folks….all of you jumping ahead in this matter and coming too dd conclusions.

Now read this quote from the news article:
““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.”

This is suspect. Why “had permission”?
I can understand “possess this equipment”, but not “to purchase”

Now before all of you ponuce pun me and say I supporting de Government,
ease off. I dealing with the issue from an impartial perspective. The FBI Agent’s investigation seems to lack merit and is perhaps pointless. Khan’s purchasing of this equipment is a legal transaction and he does not have the permission of the Guyana government to purchase it.

Now to the possession matter. How could the FBI determine that Khan had the permission of the Guyana government to possess the equipment? Was there any documentary evidence available or produced?
Did he realyy have to have permission?
Something does not mesh here.

So ease off in the rush to judgement.

We know that Khan was an agent of the Government and we base this on a series of actions, like his paying the salaries of some government employees, but we don’t as yet have coupe-de-grace fact to unassailable hit the government with. They will continue to deny his defacto agency until that fact is found, and right now it has not been found..

[Reply to this]
Arcadia Terry
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 2:34 pm:
Ok Carl point taken my concern is did he have a licence to carry the weapon that he was found with something is not adding up.

[Reply to this]
blahblah
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 3:42 pm:
Carl is talking nonsense. To buy any cellphone spectrum analyzer that you pull the channels and listen and record conversation,you need governement approval for that. That approval will come in the form of a letter with a governemnt signature on it. Which means there is a signature on some piece of paper trail somewhere.

[Reply to this]
jerry
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 10:17 am:
blahblah in the US you don’t need permission to purchase such equipment, any citizen can own such equipment in the US, but is how you use it is what matters.

Roger Khan’s lawyer needs to defend his charges not try to win points for community services, he was charged for importing drugs into the US and that’s what he is going to jail for. Anybody who supports his activities should think again. I’m sure they have been touched by this drug problem one way or the other. So if he is trying to look good by reading out all what he did for fighting crime he is still has to face the law. He is not a saviour.

As for the gov’t, I believe nothing is going to happen to them. This is politics. Can anybody remember when a certain minister was caught with some $M USD going in to the US? What happened to that story? The gold importers were prosecuted, the same thing will happen here. Don’t believe for one minute that the US is the saviour they are not. It’s politics and corruption and compromise.
Guyanese4life
on June 8th, 2008 2:30 pm

33 posts and ppl like Mackydog refuses to comment after continuously defending RK and the government.

RK and his lawyers are smart…he can provide all information to any and everything he did in Guyana except drug related to build a case of what he was involved in was trying to help the government.

He will continue to reveal this information because this is the main basis of the case that all he did that was illegal was to be a vilgilante knowing very well that the government cannot arrest or try him in Guyana. He will sing the entire story if he has to.

Note this is not the prosecution making these statements…this is the defence team and RK.

More to come…hope all is ready for the events to come….also watch out for new attacks by the government on Stabroek News.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 3:11 pm:
That bow wow is cowering somewhere dark.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 9:20 am:
I got to read the news late so I could not comment as usual, nevertheless, I did. You can read my contribution below.

[Reply to this]
ms guyana
on June 8th, 2008 2:31 pm

Jagdeo is busy trying to reinvent himself as the new Al Gore trying to ’sell’ the forest and make cosmetic changes, lie detectors et cetera because he knows that the facts are about to bubble up to the surface.

Roger Khan is no ‘businessman’ we need to get that straight. He’s not coming home anytime soon so he is going to sing sing sing and see if that helps his cause, plus Uncle Sam knows who and when to squeeze

[Reply to this]
GT_BANA
on June 8th, 2008 3:03 pm

WOW!!! I now understand why the US Government did not want to share any information with Guyana in regards to Roger Khan. It’s obvious the Government of Guyana was supporting the crooked business of Roger Khan. Pretty soon high ranking officials will start turning against each other to save their butts when it’s all said on done. Mark my words!!

[Reply to this]
cking12
on June 8th, 2008 3:05 pm

All long ropes must have an end, we knew that since Mr. Khan was found with those weapons something was amiss, since that matter was bailable for the other two and him, now the water is so hot that someone in the goverment has to answer questions.

Judgement day is soon to come, people will be so restless to see the end results.

[Reply to this]
kiskadee
on June 8th, 2008 3:18 pm

Even with these latest revelations…………..if an election is called tomorrow, the PPP will be voted in again by their loyal, blind supporters. Take off the blinders people.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 4:16 pm:
perhaps, but they won’t get the majority of the votes.
too much fraud and corruption out in the open now!!!

[Reply to this]
gideon
In reply to the above comment on June 15th, 2008 3:19 am:
u yourself sound like a blind loyal supporter of your party too (la vie est bonne!) by suggesting that the ppp won’t get a majority of votes if the election is hold tommorow,please who would then?I totally agree with kiskadee,the ppp has a well oiled political machine,that uses propaganda, fear and the race card to get out their base to vote for them and it works all the time!!Regardless of whatever dirt is revealed of their administration,everybody knew about Rk and his links to the current admin but they still got voted in, in the last election, see my point?
DAFA 75
on June 8th, 2008 4:19 pm

I was not ever going to say anything on this matter; everyone is talking like this is new information. Roger Khan did not ever keep a low profile, it is just that he was never caught, and any information about him up until he was caught was kept out of the press. This is a business plain and simple, that has woven its web around all in Guyana, It pays for everything, Look at the list of the people who got killed, most of them were or associated with drug dealers, Consolidation, put your competition out of business or put them on your payroll, offer them protection on their supply routes, and what do you get a conglomerate, business 1o1.

I met Roger Khan on many occasions, all in public, with many government officials, both ppp, pnc, all of them sucking up to him like a newborn calf.

I ask one question, who is controlling his organisation now. I know who it is and so do all of you, and the person is not from Buxton.

[Reply to this]
ALL_GT
on June 8th, 2008 4:47 pm

Khan knows he is looking at serious jail time… he would not play a hero and clam up knowing he also has bail jumping charges to face after the fact.. the Feds have brought out the orchestra and the drum roll has begun. All he has to do now is pick up the mike and sing. If he is the new American Idol he could be out in 10 years..

[Reply to this]
motherofmine
on June 8th, 2008 5:21 pm

How did the equipment Roger was found with just vanish from police custody, simple it was given back to him.
The former top cop can now make a case to have his job back, he was set up by the government.
the USA has just handed the government over to a new party, that’s it for PPP, they cannot defend this one.

[Reply to this]
sandy
In reply to the above comment on June 8th, 2008 6:13 pm:
Handed the govt over to a new party??? Methinks you give the electorate waaaay too much credit.

[Reply to this]
Greg
on June 8th, 2008 5:31 pm

It is now time to see if the judiciary, legal practitioners, the AFC and the Poilce Force are worth their salt. I am looking mainly at the judiciary for prompt and forceful action on this. Someone needs to show some balls on this one. I am not a legal pundit but I am sure there are legal actions, which can be taken under our constitution to get some action here. Our Government cannot be above the law of our land, therefore we need our judiciary to show leadership and fair play to deal with this one. Seems to me a lot of persons should be relieved of their post or placed in jail while investigations begin. This is serious. Who is going to bell the cat? Mr. Trotman, Mr. Ramjatan… Maybe Guyana’s revelation lies in our courts.

[Reply to this]
Empress
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 5:59 pm:
WELL SAID Greg…this is exactly what has been missing in Guyana all along.When something happens, the people are powreless. But the ones with the knowledge and knowhow don’t ever step up and represent.MAYBE FEAR OR THEY DON’T KNOW THEIR JOB…but no one ever stands up, or give guidance to the powerless people.
EVERYBODY WAITING FOR SOMEBODY.

[Reply to this]
analysis
on June 8th, 2008 6:25 pm

Well I tell ya. Play with fire and ya certainly will get burned. When de government helping RK, all good and fine. Now he in hot water all kinda dutty story coming out. Keep talking bai, keep talking. I surprise Jagdeo ain’t send out Sam Hinds yet. I really wan see what they gon say to get dheyself outa this one. The U.S. government certainly tickling RK and he puttin on a very good show. Fight fuself!

[Reply to this]
Guyanese4life
on June 8th, 2008 6:58 pm

Carl,

This equipment cannot be purchased without the permission of a Government or Law enforcement agency unless it is purchased behind the scene. This purchased was made at official company and so paper trail is evident.

Now the big question is who actually bought it? Since RK could not go to the US, who was the actual person that was acting under Roger Khan’s behalf.

We will soon find out…I am sure this will be another shocker.

[Reply to this]
gtking48
on June 8th, 2008 8:06 pm

Is there any validity to this?

[Reply to this]
pepie
on June 8th, 2008 9:55 pm

Mr. Trotman, Mr. Ramjattan and the rest of the AFC, do you notice that everyone is calling on you to lead us….Show us you really love this country, take us where we as a people wanted to go for a long time. Get up off your butts and demonstrate the kind of leadership that is required in this country.

We all know what happen in this country from 2001 - to date, there must be a way in which we can bring these criminals to justice. You guys are lawyers, find a way we need justice that’s all we need. We can’t afford to have more RKs, we just can’t. Help us…we beg you help us.

Haven’t we endured enough through the PNC years and now the PPP? Are you guys going to stand by and watch us be picked off one by one? GPF, GDF, its time you go where this story leads and bring his friends, family and associates to justice.

This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Let us set an example here, once and for all. We don’t need PNC on this one….they are too polarizing. We need someone who everyone can trust and that’s you AFC. It’s time.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
on June 8th, 2008 9:55 pm

Who can verify that the government did give Roger Khan permission to buy the surveilance equipment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? You guys forget how good Guyanese have become at forging the signatures of anybody be it government official or you, the ordinary man since in the ’70s? And who say it was impossible to get official letterheads with the government seal, stamp, crimp, scratch, or whatever on it, especially in this day and age when printers are hooked up to computers that can be used in someone’s home. As I can recall, only last week it was reported in this same Stabroek News paper that a taxi driver was arrested with uttering a forged document with a forged signature or Minister Clement Rohee saying that he can have dark tint, and THAT happened in Guyana. Now who is to tell if a forged letter with false government letterhead and false signatures of government official was issued to the ppl all the way in Florida, would the Floridians at the Spy Shop know the letter was fake? Come on now guys, forgery was a way of survival Guyanese had to perfect to survive during the Burnham error (I spelt it correct, don’t correct). Now who want to contest that? I believe Roger Khan money talked so anything walked.

[Reply to this]
Guyanese4life
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 9:55 am:
Macky you are so hell bent on defending Roger aka “Who framed Roger rabbit”. His own lawyers are claiming this as his mouthpiece. Is not the US uncover this information and release it, it is his own lawyers. Other accusations have come from the US but this came from his lawyers. Don’t come back with a statement that he trying to blame the government. They cannot help him even if they wanted. He trying to save himself. The fact is “INXS” if you researched effectively you will find that this particular equipment requires government approval or law enforcement approval to purchase and export legally without being caught by any immigration or custom officers or DEA/FBI. Now he could have bought it off the black market but for some reason he choose a legitimate source…can you tell me why INXS and Macky?

INXS search for the equipment and try to buy it online and then send me the link so I can buy one. Bulletproof and guns are common sales…a surveillance computer is not…go figure.

Lastly PhantomWriter, why not ask the question of what it would have been like if Roger never came to Guyana? Or who released the 5 escapees.

Do you notice the main people that were attacked and killed after the escapees came out…you should know them…the escapees were a real threat to the drug barons operation…Khan didn’t care about the Guyanese people… The phantom was formed to curb the problem of a gang that can shut them down. I will never be thankful for any killer or criminal…irregardless of what they did, because we were no safer after they killed the main gang members…they became the fear of half of the population as the gangsters had one half afraid before.

[Reply to this]
mackydog
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 11:09 am:
I am not defending Roger Khan nor the government. What I’m saying is that the government does not have to give Roger Khan permission on behalf of the government via letters, permits or anything governmental in order to purchase the equipment with government permission as everyone asserts. Roger Khan, and even you can get ANY of those paper permission with all that it takes to prove their authenticity WITHOUT the government knowing or permitting the transaction BECAUSE Guyanese are professional forgers of documents even government letterheads. Besides Roger Khan could not have returned to the U.S, so here again HE could not have purchased anything, but you say I defending him. Also what immigration and customs official would deny the entry of the equipment to Guyana? The last time I checked, merchandise purchased in the U.S can be shipped via Cargo (sea or air) and all info that has to be given besides usual names, addresses of shipper and consignee etc. is whether a hazardous material or not. There is no immigration and customs contact here in the U.S until it gets to GT and there is no immigration contact there only Customs, and we all know what the Customs is like since from in the Burnham error, they can be bribed, that’s why a few were fired last week cause we don’t want that Burnhamite behavior anymore. Read my comment in today’s SN on this same topic.

Cheryl
In reply to the above comment on June 28th, 2008 4:59 pm:
MACKYDOG,! U said it, persons not thinking, remember the US wanted RK for yrs, and couldn’t find him, why would they allow him to purchase spy equiptment,? RK ran away from the US because of drugs, people r not thinking, Guyanese r very smart people, many of them r over here with false passports, that’s the reason the US passports keeps changing.

Darn any documents can be reproduced in Guyana, persons had years of city taxes paid on a land, although I had the genuine receipts, the crookery was found out, when the same person with same handwriting wrote receipts for water bills.

Explain to these bloggers more, some in here are not born Guyanese, so they talk junk.

[Reply to this]
thephantomwriter
on June 8th, 2008 10:00 pm

has anyone ever wondered what would be the state of affairs of Guyana had Roger Khan and associates not intervened in the crime situation?

perhaps you would have preferred the senseless killing to continue without anyone doing anything about it…

now i’m certainly not supportive of the ppp administration… but if any government finds that their current security forces are incapable of dealing with any crime situation then they have the right to enlist civilians with respective skills and resources…

in this case…that person was roger khan and crew…
his organisation at the time could be loosely described as a paramilitary group….and yes…even the big countries like the usa have those…they won’t go telling everyone about it but they do…

and when it comes to dealing with criminals with the caliber of weapons that the escapee crew had….they would have been dealt with in equal or greater force than we use on criminals here…

its sad to see that ppl arent at least a slight bit thankful for what roger khan has helped to do in relation to crime in guyana…

[Reply to this]
Ginger56
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 9:23 am:
The point is not whether we are grateful or ungrateful that Roger Khan acted as a vigilante, but the contention is that the Government was/is denying having any connection with Roger Khan.

Further information will reveal whether this report is true or not.

[Reply to this]
Guyanese4life
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 10:12 am:
Yes you are supporting the PPP don’t patronise us.

What qualified Roger Khan to have respective skills and resources?

Most of his guys were ex police and army and some were still serving. Couldn’t they find them on their own. If the government felt that they could not deal with the criminals then they should have asked internationally for assistance the proper way. Instead they chose an alleged drug lord to set up a paramilitary group for the protection of his drugs and then finally for the sport of chase and kill.

Is this what you wanted Phantom and Macky.

What no one talks about was the theory for mayhem and killings initially. We always need to find the source and then we can fix the problem because it is still there.

The drug empire in Guyana had to change hands…debtors had to be taken care off (Persaud as example), informants had to be wiped out, power and control had to be established (attempts at killing Bramha and killings of many other drug lords around as example). Roger Khan suddenly became this big player and all the others either joined him or felt the squeeze. Anyone killed mysteriously , the escapees or the gangs we blamed.

It’s impossible to even get into more details…those who know will be able to understand….RK was no saviour of Guyanese…

[Reply to this]
vatvic
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 2:35 pm:
You telling me, a private citizen can get his own army and kill citizens in the name of whoever is the government of the day. So what or who is to stop any other person from forming his or her own army? Hey, that went out in the 11th century in Europe, thats how backward Guyanese thinking is anyhow.

[Reply to this]
INXS
on June 9th, 2008 8:22 am

I don’t think anyone can provide any evidence to show that the Gy Government had given permission to buy such equipment. In America you can buy almost anything. A few day ago I found rounds for Ak 47s rifles selling online. In fact people could buy more powerful rifles than the Ak 47. In addition, I found full body armors. And I bet no one knows about the bullet proof back packs that school kids can use. Can you purchase that legally in Guyana?This was made because of the violence in schools here in the U.S. Secondly, you can get information about a person, which includes, phone numbers, address, related family,etc, just for a fee of $20, (talk about liberty).

My point is Roger Khan could have the bought that piece of equipment without Gov’t help. Products are available at free will in America, just possess the finances. Ever wonder how those recent school killers got their weapons; they got them at the regular, legal gun stores. Spy Shop in Fort Lauderdale is a private company, which means that anyone can do business with them; yes, I did research it. And for peace sake people do some online research, as you would be surprise as to what you can buy.

[Reply to this]
Ginger56
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 9:33 am:
“I don’t think anyone can provide any evidence to show that the Gy Government had given permission to buy such equipment. In America you can buy almost anything. A few day ago I found rounds for Ak 47s rifles selling online.” - INXS

According to the report, “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.”

So, is the attorney accusing RK, or is RK accusing the government?

[Reply to this]
jerry
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 10:32 am:
How can he purchase from Florida and he was wanted by the US?
INXS
on June 9th, 2008 8:38 am

Roger Khan needs a way of defending himself, so why now involve the Government. He claimed that he helped in the freeing of the American Diplomat. He also claimed that he fed information to the U.S embassy. All of this is/was being denied, so why don’t people think that he did work with the U.S embassy and also helped in freeing the diplomat, in the same way that they believe the Gov’t help him purchase the equipment.
But it is analogous to people seeing what they want to see.

[Reply to this]
bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 10:10 am:
“people seeing what they want to see” includes yourself. I am sure.

[Reply to this]
INXS
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 12:28 pm:
yes it obviously includes myself. we all have an agenda, don’t we? Why don’t people believe that Roger Khan worked with U.S like he said he did? Or did people believe that? Some seem to have a problem with the current Government and use this allegation as a way to support their platform.
Anything that Roger Khan says that will incrimate the Government ones like you will find ways to believe it, “BS or not.” LIke I said,“people seeing what they want to see.” you are included

bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 6:50 pm:
Well since you agree that you have an agenda- I suppose you recognize that your finger pointing has the equivalence of a leper casting dispersions on an eczema sufferer.
bungbang
on June 9th, 2008 9:42 am

Bung bang bang bang bang………..lmfao

[Reply to this]
blueboyy2k
on June 9th, 2008 11:28 am

mackydog , you do make sense about the RK issue!

As I have maintained, I am NOT in support of crime, corruption, violence, kidnapping, etc., likewise, I am not in support of the current Government! Neither am I satisfied with the current opposition. However, it’s sickening to the stomach to read of people’s approval of crime and race-laced issues in Guyana. That’s the main reason why Guyana can NEVER get better. It will always be a point of focus and a country to be talked about.

Look at the recent works done by the GPF! I am happy that they are trying to capture the dreaded “devil” that has been lurking and murking-up Guyana for a while back. But it’s mind baffling and mentally depressing when you know that the GPF itself is corrupted and biased in its activities for the well being of the country. What’s more annoying is the fact that the Government sees all of this, and more degrading scenarios that destabilize beautiful Guyana and plays a blind eye towards it all. How productive is that? What about the on going battle with the pnc and the ppp on issues that ultimately conceded to the race game? How beneficial/destructive was/is that?

I was never happy to leave Guyana for a country that’s not a part of me. However, with all of the above ongoing issues, incorporated with RACE, I had no choice in doing the inevitable and settling down in an environment without ongoing “issues” to encounter on a daily basis.

[Reply to this]
Ginger56
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 1:33 pm:
“However, it’s sickening to the stomach to read of people’s approval of crime and race-laced issues in Guyana.”

blueboyy2k, people’s approval of crime? you have lost your mind!!!

Look, as far as i see it, when a bullet flies, it doesn’t have a name. Anyone and everyone is vulnerable to being robbed/murder in Guyana or anywhere else in this world.

Oh, so there’s no RACE issues in the US? Come on, be for real!

[Reply to this]
timeless
on June 9th, 2008 2:19 pm

but is how come the US didn’t capture RK before 2006 even though he was in full view and they knew he was wanted there?

[Reply to this]
blueboyy2k
on June 9th, 2008 5:21 pm

Yes Ginger56! I know what I am talking about and have not lost my mind! If you can re-read comments above, you can zoom in as to waht I am talking about. Are you in denial that there’s a race related problems facing our people in Guyana? If you are, please wake up and smell a more strong coffee[probably ginger flavored coffee as it'll be stronger]

Race is an issue in Guyana and will always be so, as our people cannot be a united one. Blacks always look as Indians as being better off[esp. under the Jagdeo governance], whilst Indians feel that Blacks still have the power over others, as we can see right now in the various ministries, Police Force, Army, Prisons, Fired Dept., etc..So, how can you be in denial about Guyana being race free?

And about the US, the struggle among people here where race is involve is between blacks[all races are blacks except whites] and whites. Not between Indians and Blacks. And it’s not that open as in Guyana. Once you work hard for something here, you see your way ahead, as compared to Guyana, where “opportunities” are available directly over one set of people. Visualize it all as to what I am saying and see if it makes sense or not. All over to you!

[Reply to this]
Ginger56
In reply to the above comment on June 9th, 2008 10:36 pm:
blueboyy2k ,

You fell off the bandwagon a long time ago…how could you interpret my comment as saying that racism does not exist in Guyana?

You said, ” was never happy to leave Guyana for a country that’s not a part of me. However, with all of the above ongoing issues, incorporated with RACE, I had no choice in doing the inevitable and settling down in an environment without ongoing “issues” to encounter on a daily basis.”

I was commenting on the fact that you made it seemed that RACE issues do not exist in the USA, that’s why you fled there.

Perhaps you are the one who needs to “please wake up and smell a more strong coffee[probably ginger flavored coffee as it'll be stronger]“

[Reply to this]
Cheryl
In reply to the above comment on June 28th, 2008 5:27 pm:
Ha! HA, u right, the US has the problem also, but the new law is, they have to keep it to themselves.

Yrs ago, I applied for a job at a major medical hospital, I was the only woman of color, and u know what, that hospital hired me, I worked there for years, in Guyana they r brazen, u cannot take the case to the devil to try, u can’t even speak against the govenment there. Don’t be sure that the US don’t have race issues, we all know that exits, but it’s done in a much clever way, not all whites have issues with people of color.

And people of color are also the same towards each other, I have seen born Guyanese reporting on other Guyanese, Guyanese of the same color at that, so 4getit, it’s the same.

[Reply to this]
gtagricola
on June 9th, 2008 7:22 pm

Jagdeo, Luncheon, Gagraj all were very well and aware of all of RK dark deeds. They need to be investigated.

[Reply to this]
YesRasta
on June 10th, 2008 5:22 pm

Mr.Bharrat Jagdeo I dare you now to call Mr.Roger Khan’s Attorney Mr. Robert M Simels ‘Ignorant’. It’s time you (Mr.Jagdeo) and the former Home Affairs Minister Mr.Ronald Gagraj come clean with the public on the PPP’s affiliation with Mr.Roger Khan.

[Reply to this]
BigK
on June 12th, 2008 12:34 pm

You people are AMAZING! Going on an allegation from an attorney representing a drug accused, most of you go on a rampage of nonsense - Talking about sanctions against the government etc. Truth be known – you do not have to get permission to buy any of these equipment that our primitive people are calling sophisticated. Just google spy store and you too can be the next Roger Khan. WITHOUT PERMISSION.

[Reply to this]