Guyana 'arrests Farrakhan aide' in drugs, terrorism probe

ocal media identified the man as Akbar Muhammad, who is a longtime top aide to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan (AFP/File, Nicholas Kamm)

 

(AFP) – 6 hours ago

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — A Muslim cleric was arrested Thursday on suspicion of drug trafficking and terrorism in Guyana, authorities in the South American country said.

Local media identified the man as Akbar Muhammad, who is a longtime top aide to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

Muhammad is the Nation of Islam's international representative with offices in Ghana and the United States, according to a Nation of Islam website.

Muhammad was arrested at the Princess Hotel and Casino, assistant police commissioner Seelall Persaud told AFP.

Persaud would not comment on whether US authorities were involved in the investigation.

The Nation of Islam, founded in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1930s, is comprised of African-Americans. It gained prominence under the leadership of Malcolm X in the 1960s. It is now based in Chicago.

Muhammad has been "a top aide to Minister Louis Farrakhan from 1965 to present," according to his biography posted on the website of the Truth Establishment Institute, operated by the Nation of Islam.
The Nation of Islam and the Truth Establishment Institute did not immediately return calls for comment to AFP.

Muhammad was in Guyana to conduct lectures, appear on television and hold public meetings with the Muslim and African Guyanese communities. He has previously visited Guyana in the 1970s and 1980s.



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