Guyanese Murder Suspect Deported From U.S.

By News Americas Now Staff Writer

News Americas Now, NY, NY, Tues. Oct. 27, 2026: A Guyanese man wanted in connection with a 2015 murder in Georgetown has been deported from the United States and is now before the courts in Guyana.

Kanand Ojha, 45, was removed from the U.S. on September 18th after being arrested in New York by members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Ojha had been wanted by Guyanese authorities in connection with the killing of Noel “Nephi” Luther, a gay sex worker who was shot in Georgetown in July 2015. Following his return to Guyana, Ojha was charged with murder and remanded to prison.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (US ICE) Ojha entered the United States legally through John F. Kennedy International Airport in July 2015, but his lawful status was later revoked after authorities became aware of an outstanding arrest warrant in Guyana.

ICE said Ojha was arrested in Queens on September 8, 2025, during an operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo said the removal resulted from cooperation between U.S. and Guyanese law enforcement agencies.

“New Yorkers are safer today because this accused murderer is no longer free to roam our neighborhoods,” Genalo said in the ICE statement.

THE ALLEGATION

Guyanese authorities allege that Luther was fatally shot during a confrontation in Georgetown in July 2015. A wanted bulletin for Ojha was later issued as investigators continued to pursue the case. Another man linked to the killing, Ron “Andel” Forde, pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017.

After being returned to Guyana, Ojha appeared before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the murder charge was read to him. He was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to prison.

The case is now back before the Guyanese justice system more than a decade after Luther’s death. The charge against Ojha remains an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.