Guyana is intensifying its fight against crime by targeting not just offenders, but the wealth they accumulate illegally.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall says this modern approach focuses on seizing criminal assets through stronger collaboration with regional and international agencies, and the use of anti-money laundering laws to go after the proceeds of crime.

The Attorney General says this approach reflects a modern shift in law enforcement, where the focus is not only on prosecuting offenders but also on targeting the proceeds of crime.

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Regional Security System (RSS), the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), and international agencies including INTERPOL and U.S. drug enforcement authorities, Guyana is collaborating on intelligence-sharing and coordinated legal action.

“We share information, we offer mutual assistance on criminal matters using a common platform to coordinate and collaborate in effects to go after the assests of the criminals because that is now the identified new approach to crime fighting,” he said.

Authorities are increasingly applying laws like the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act to seize assets connected to criminal activity.

Recent court decisions have upheld this enforcement, allowing the state to confiscate millions in cash and gold linked to narcotics crimes. Mr. Nandlall refuted claims that the state cannot seize sanctioned or tainted funds.

“There’s a view been peddled out there that seem to suggest that the state can’t take sanction money or tainted money or money that are the proceed of crime absolute nonsense. The state will take every single sanction cent when the occasion arises,” he said.

According to the Attorney General, seizing illicit wealth is now a key strategy in dismantling criminal networks, with all recovered funds being deposited into the Consolidated Fund in accordance with court orders.