Fugitive arrested in NY for 2015 murder of sex worker

Kanand Ojha, wanted in Guyana for the 2015 murder of sex worker Noel ‘Nephi’ Luther, was arrested on Monday in Queens, New York, by a task force including US Marshals, Homeland Security, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

See full statement from the Government of Guyana:

Law Enforcement Authorities in Queens, New York, including New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force consisting of US Marshals, members of Homeland Security and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), on Monday, September 8, 2025 arrested Kanand Ojha who is wanted in Guyana in relation to the murder committed on Noel ‘Nephi’ Luther in July, 2015.

The arrest of Ojha is as a result of continuous collaboration and cooperation between the Government of Guyana through the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers and authorities in the United States of America under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters platform.

Over the years, Guyana and the U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies have strengthened their relationship and this has led to mutual cooperation in criminal investigations by virtue of which criminal investigations have been pursued in both jurisdictions leading to the arrest of fugitives in both countries and their extradition to stand trial in the country where they have committed offences. This relationship will intensify in the future.

A wanted bulletin was issued for Ojha in July, 2019 in relation to the killing of Luther, a sex worker, who was shot at Carmichael and Quamina Streets. It is alleged that Luther was shot once to his chest during a confrontation with Ojha and his friend Ron ‘Andel’ Forde.

Forde was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June, 2017 after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the killing of Luther.