I am a Guyanese national born in 1967. As a father of six children—four girls and two boys—I worked hard in construction to support my family. But getting work was getting more and more difficult.
So, I started gold mining for about ten years. With some of the money saved I bought a 4-inch dredge and employed two guys to work with me. Everything changed on February 19, 2015. It was a Thursday evening when I came out of the gold field with my production. Four guys attacked me. I tried to fight back, but one of them stabbed me in the back, and they took away all my production, about 125 ounces of gold.
I spent six months in the hospital and became wheelchair-bound.
…I was wearing diapers and using a catheter. With no parents alive and no inheritance, I resorted to begging on streets to support myself and my children.
After being discharged, I faced new challenges. The mother of my children left me because she didn’t want to help care for me while I was wearing diapers and using a catheter. With no parents alive and no inheritance, I resorted to begging on streets to support myself and my children. It took two years before I was able to receive government assistance, but the 16,000 Guyanese dollars (~USD75) wasn’t enough to cover my medical expenses and family needs every month.
An Unexpected Offer
One day while begging, a man approached me and asked about my situation. After hearing my story, he said he could help me. He took me to a shop, and bought some food and supplies for me. He also gave me 20,000 Guyana dollars.
He took my contact information and called me about two weeks later. He told me to meet him at the passport office. We talked, and he said he would help me see a good doctor. Then he asked if I had ever traveled out of the country. I told him no, and he said he would keep in touch with me and gave me some more money.
He gave me a ride home and left. About a month later, he called me again. He came to pick me up and took me to collect my passport. After this, he gave me money again, and bought me food and medicine.
Two weeks later, in July 2023, he told me to prepare myself. He came the next day to discuss it. When he arrived, he said he had a job for me. I asked what kind of job, and he explained that I needed to go to St. Lucia first and meet someone. He promised to pay me three million Guyana dollars, giving me one million to leave with my children. I told him I would think about it, and he gave me two days to decide. Four days later, he called to confirm I was ready. He came that same day and handed me one million Guyana dollars (USD5,000). I bought a few things for my trip and gave the rest to my eldest daughter.
One week later, I traveled to St. Lucia.
Journey to St. Lucia
As soon as I landed, my phone rang. A man asked me to come to the front of the airport. When I got there, he asked for my name and confirmed I was sent by “Black”. He introduced himself as Mustifa, the person I needed to meet. He took my suitcase, put it in a taxi, and we went to a hotel where he paid for my room. He instructed me to stay there for a few days until he was ready for me to go to Hong Kong. He gave me money for food and said he would check on me the next day to discuss the job.
When he returned, he told me I would be carrying two books and a haversack containing cocaine to Hong Kong. He promised to pay me ten thousand US dollars and take me to a good doctor afterwards. If I had known the cargo contained cocaine before leaving Guyana, I would never have agreed to it. They exploited my desperate situation, knowing I needed money to support my children. I thought about calling the police but feared for my children’s safety and didn’t want anyone to take advantage of my daughters. So, I decided to take the chance. When I reached Hong Kong airport, Customs searched my suitcase and found the drugs.
Consequences and Reflection
Now in prison, I deeply regret my decision. If I hadn’t been injured and desperate for money to support my family, I would never have become involved in drug trafficking. This is my first offense; I have no prior criminal record in Guyana or elsewhere. I miss my children terribly.
During my time in prison, I’ve witnessed the devastating effects of drugs on young people. Many inmates suffer from mental health issues and physical problems due to drug use. I urge young people to avoid drugs and stay away from drug dealers who exploit vulnerable individuals like myself.
I apologize sincerely for my actions. I’m not a bad person, just someone who made a terrible mistake out of desperation. I pray daily for God’s grace to keep me safe until I can reunite with my family. This experience has taught me a valuable lesson that I share with others: never transport drugs to Hong Kong, no matter how desperate your situation or how tempting the money may seem.
Thanks to the prison officers who helped me receive medical care, I no longer worry about affording treatment. Though I face the consequences of my actions, I remain hopeful that one day I’ll return home to my beloved children.
Note: This story is a combination of several letters that have been edited to improve the clarity of the story. Certain immaterial details have been omitted.
