US, Guyana cooperate on deporting man wanted for murder in Guyana – News Room Guyana

Kanand Ojha, the Guyanese man wanted for the murder of Noel “Nephi” Luther, was deported from the United States on Friday afternoon.

Ojha landed at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, at about 15:00 hrs.

The wanted man was apprehended in Queens, New York, on September 8, 2025 by the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in connection with the murder.

His removal now followed coordinated action by the Guyana Police Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, and other U.S. law-enforcement partners. Ojha was arrested in Queens in September 2025

Ojha’s return to Guyana has been described by officials as the standard upon which effective cross-border law enforcement must rest: professional institutions, respect for the rule of law, and cooperation in good faith.

“The case demonstrates the value of mature, lawful cooperation between sovereign partners. Where requests are supported by legitimate law-enforcement objectives and pursued through established legal channels, international cooperation can proceed professionally and effectively, without speculation or the attribution of political motives to routine law-enforcement action,” the News Room was told by a government official.

With Ojha’s return, Guyanese authorities are expected to proceed with the legal process surrounding the murder allegation against him.

Luther, who was a sex worker, was attacked at about 02:35hrs at the corner of Carmichael and Quamina Streets. Reports at the time stated that the incident stemmed from a dispute involving a client who had allegedly returned to the area with Ojha. Ojha was accused of shooting Luther once in the chest before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Luther was subsequently pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). A wanted bulletin for Ojha was issued in July 2019.

Ojha’s accomplice, Ron “Andel” Forde, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2017, after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter in connection with Luther’s death.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE