The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) yesterday conducted an operation at a house belonging to businessman Ernesto Choo-a-Fat at Lot 62 Windsor Estates,East Bank Demerara and said it found a quantity of uncustomed alcohol. 

“No narcotics were found during the search,” CANU said in a press statement, adding that during the operation, three persons were arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters for further questioning.

“One of the persons arrested stated that he rents the property from Mr. Ernesto Choo.

Mr. Ernesto Choo was not the subject in this operation, and not the subject of any investigations of the Unit,” CANU explained. 

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed publicised the operation on his Facebook page showing CANU officers stationed outside the property. 

Mohamed described Choo-a-Fat as a “close friend of President Irfaan Ali”.  He made a number of other statements that attracted attention from Choo-a-Fat’s lawyer.

Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj in a statement said that he had been retained by Choo-a-Fat to challenge the allegations made by Mohamed. 

“A post was made on the Facebook page of Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition, earlier today the 3rd October, 2026, regarding a raid conducted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on a property owned by our client; the said property has been rented for in excess of 3 (three) years and therefore our client is not in possession or control thereof,” Gunraj said. 

“As a consequence, the statements contained in the said post are false, malicious and defamatory, and have the effect of seriously impugning our client’s reputation,” he continued, adding, “We are instructed to immediately institute legal proceedings against the said Azruddin Mohamed in relation to the defamatory comments made therein.” 

In response, Mohamed told Kiskadee Watch that he did not understand why legal proceedings were being instituted as CANU verified the details in his post, such as that the property belongs to Choo-a-Fat and that contraband items were found. 

“Everyone knows Ernesto is close to the president. So what are you suing me for? I think the post made is an honest and sincere post without any lies,” Mohamed said, adding, “They are hoping to silence me but that won’t happen. They can’t muzzle me. It is my duty as Opposition Leader…I received information from whistleblowers and residents from Windsor Estate…indeed I confirmed and made checks, and the property indeed belongs to Ernesto Choo.”