Guyana Gov\'t denies wire taping

The Guyana government yesterday denied ever giving permission to an alleged drug dealer on trial in the United States to purchase electronic equipment capable of tracking phone calls and tapping conversations.



A statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that it did not authorise the importation of the electronic equipment under question nor did it seek any approval of the US authorities for an export licence for the item.



Over the weekend, the lawyer for Guyanese businessman, Roger Khan, who is facing drug trafficking charges in the US, told a New York court that a federal agent, who had investigated Khan’s purchase of the equipment, found that he obtained permission from the Guyana government.



Attorney at law Robert Simels told the court that the computer telephonic surveillance equipment was purchased from the Spy Shop in Fort Lauderdale Florida with permission from the Bharrat Jagdeo administration.



Khan had used the equipment while in Guyana to improperly wiretap various high-ranking security officials in order to maintain his alleged drug organisation.