A senior Guyanese police commander and five other nationals are now in the crosshairs of U.S. sanctions after authorities uncovered a massive cocaine trafficking network using “narco submarines,” secret jungle airstrips, and corrupt officials to smuggle billions in drugs across international borders.
Key Takeaways
- Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, a current Guyana police officer, and five other individuals from Guyana and Colombia have been sanctioned by the U.S. for operating sophisticated cocaine trafficking networks
- The network utilized “narco submarines,” secret airstrips, and underground bunkers to transport cocaine worth billions through South America to the U.S., Europe, and Caribbean
- A massive 4.4-tonne cocaine seizure valued at over G$40.7 billion was discovered hidden near an illegal airstrip during Sawh’s tenure as Commander of Region One
- The sanctions block all U.S. property and interests of the designated individuals, marking the second instance in the past year where OFAC has targeted Guyanese drug traffickers
- Advanced “narco subs” can transport up to 3 tons of cocaine per voyage and are increasingly being used to cross the Atlantic to Western Europe
Senior Police Officer Among Six Sanctioned in Major Drug Trafficking Network
The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned six individuals involved in a sophisticated international cocaine smuggling operation spanning South America, the Caribbean, and beyond. Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, former Commander of Region One (Barima-Waini) in Guyana, was among those targeted in the sanctions. Three other Guyanese nationals—Paul Daby Jr., Mark Cromwell (another former police officer), and Randolph Duncan—were also sanctioned, along with two Colombian nationals, Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo and Manuel Salazar Gutierrez.
“The former Region One Police Commander Himnauth Sawh, 37, was today named in a statement from the US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in relation to the transshipping of cocaine from Guyana to the US,” stated US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
According to OFAC, Sawh facilitated safe passage for Mexican and Venezuelan traffickers, using his position of authority to enable drug movement. The action comes after a September incident where authorities discovered 4.4 tonnes of cocaine valued at over G$40.7 billion hidden near an illegal airstrip at Matthew’s Ridge during Sawh’s tenure. Following this massive seizure, Sawh was removed from his commander position and reassigned to head the Transport Workshop without any public explanation from the Guyana Police Force.
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four Guyanese nationals and two Colombian nationals responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Today’s sanctions target…
— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) June 5, 2025
Sophisticated Smuggling Operations Reveal Extensive Network
Daby Jr. and Duncan allegedly operate the largest drug trafficking operation in Guyana, utilizing a combination of “narco submarines,” secret airstrips, and various operatives to facilitate their smuggling activities. Treasury officials indicate that Daby Jr. is additionally involved in transporting illegal gold, while Duncan traffics cocaine from Guyana to Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. This network represents a significant security threat, not only to the region but to international drug enforcement efforts.
“Drug traffickers exploit the rivers and jungles of South America by transiting large quantities of cocaine, from Colombia and Venezuela, through the waters of Guyana and Suriname,” stated US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The Colombian nationals Sanchez and Salazar managed airstrips used for smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Guyana, highlighting the international nature of this operation. The network’s methodology reveals a sophisticated system: small aircraft import cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela to Guyana, landing on illegal airstrips; the drugs are then buried in underground bunkers on airstrips and jungle areas, particularly in the Barima-Waini region; finally, the product is transported via various routes to international destinations.
NEW!! US sanctions 4 Guyanese and 2 Colombian nationals responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine from South America to the U.S, Europe, and the Caribbean, per @USTreasury pic.twitter.com/CennNJMMs2
— Alex Raufoglu (@ralakbar) June 5, 2025
Escalating Sophistication of Drug Trafficking Methods
The use of “narco submarines” represents a particularly concerning development in drug trafficking technology. These vessels can transport up to 3 tons of cocaine per journey and are increasingly being used to cross the Atlantic to Western Europe, according to Interpol warnings. Authorities have discovered record amounts of cocaine in these submersibles and other vessels, including a cargo vessel intercepted with 182 kilograms of cocaine off Trinidad and Tobago in March 2025. In the previous year alone, over 8,000 pounds of cocaine were found near the Venezuela border.
“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC,” stated the Treasury Department.
Guyana has long been identified as a critical transshipment point for drugs moving from South America to the United States and Europe. The country’s extensive rivers, dense jungles, and “reported corruption along its ports and borders” create ideal conditions for traffickers to operate with minimal detection. This latest round of sanctions marks the second instance in the past year where OFAC has targeted Guyanese individuals involved in the international drug trade, underscoring the persistent challenge that these networks pose to international law enforcement efforts.
