Among those sanctioned are two Colombian nationals, Manuel Salazar Gutierrez and Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo, along with four individuals from Guyana: Randolph Duncan, Himnauth Sawh, Mark Cromwell, and Paul Daby Jr. These individuals are accused of facilitating the movement of significant amounts of cocaine to destinations including the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender stated, “Under President Trump, this administration has established the most secure border in modern history.” He further emphasized the Treasury Department’s commitment to utilizing its resources and authorities in the ongoing battle against drug cartels and their affiliates.
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The six alleged drug traffickers are believed to be part of a global cocaine smuggling operation utilizing both aircraft and semi-submersible vessels. Authorities claim that Daby Jr. and Duncan lead some of the largest drug trafficking organizations in Guyana, employing narco submarines and bribing local officials to facilitate their operations.
Additionally, Sawh, who is a police officer in Guyana, is alleged to assist Venezuelan and Mexican traffickers in moving cocaine through the country. Cromwell, also a former police officer, is wanted for his involvement in the kidnapping of another officer last year. The Colombian suspects Salazar and Sanchez are reported to oversee airstrips that facilitate cocaine transport from Colombia to Guyana.
Recent discoveries include a cargo vessel apprehended off Trinidad and Tobago containing 400 pounds of cocaine marked with a logo associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. In March 2024, law enforcement agencies seized approximately 5,200 pounds of cocaine from a self-propelled narco submarine near Guyana’s coast.
The Treasury Department has made it clear that all assets belonging to those designated under these sanctions that are located within the United States or under the control of U.S. persons will be frozen and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
U.S. officials indicate that they are intensifying efforts to address the issue of homemade narco submarines operating within the jungles of Guyana, which are reportedly transporting record amounts of cocaine. The proximity of Guyana to the Caribbean and rampant corruption at its borders have contributed to the ease with which these vessels and aircraft can navigate through the region.
The Treasury noted, “Guyana is a close partner of the United States in combating narcotics trafficking.” However, according to the 2025 State Department International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, persistent corruption in Guyana remains a formidable barrier to effective drug enforcement.
Faulkender reiterated the commitment of the Treasury Department to dismantle criminal networks that facilitate drug trafficking into the United States, stating that they will continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies and the Government of Guyana to disrupt cartel operations wherever they arise.
