Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed remained in police custody Wednesday following a late-night operation involving the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and Coast Guard that began with the search of his private vessel and ended with his arrest — prompting allegations that state agencies are being used to intimidate and politically obstruct the country’s Opposition Leader.

The confrontation unfolded at about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday at Mohamed’s wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, where he was aboard a privately owned vessel with WIN parliamentarians Odessa Primus and Natasha Lewis. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Deon LaCruz were also present.

According to a statement issued on Mohamed’s behalf, officers requested permission to search the vessel. When asked for the basis of the search, the officer in charge reportedly cited “reasonable suspicion” of illegal activity.