Suriname’s Livestock Director Arrested in Embezzlement Case, Minister Vows to Combat Corruption
Paramaribo, Suriname – Anand Chotkan, 48, director of Livestock at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), is in custody following his arrest today on suspicion of embezzlement and defrauding the Surinamese state. the arrest casts a shadow over the ministry and underscores a commitment from Minister Mike Noersalim to root out corruption within the department.
The investigation began after the ministry reported the disappearance of approximately 100 sheep and cattle, along with an excavator, tractor, and ATV on october 18th. Authorities allege Chotkan illicitly sold state-owned livestock - including stud bulls, cows, and calves – from the State Farm beginning in February 2022, diverting the proceeds for personal gain.
Initially, Chotkan reportedly claimed the funds were secured in a drum, but that the drum had been lost. A subsequent police search of Chotkan’s residence, conducted by the Criminal Affairs Unit of the Herman E. Gooding Office, uncovered a drum containing a considerable sum of cash in both US dollars and euros.
Beyond the missing livestock, Chotkan is also suspected of attempting to defraud the state of over SRD 86 million.He allegedly falsified a performance declaration for cattle sourced from Brazil that were never delivered. A timely intervention by the Central National Accounts Service (CLAD) prevented the Ministry of Finance from transferring the funds to the supplier after discovering the discrepancy.
“Luckily there are still enough people at the ministry who do their job well,” Minister Noersalim told Starnieuws. He emphasized his resolve to eliminate corruption, stating, “We must make the ministry entirely healthy. That is a condition for actually taking up the accelerated development of the agricultural sector. If we do not tackle this corruption, the money will simply flow away.”
Noersalim highlighted the severity of the situation given Chotkan’s oversight of the State Farm, which he described as being “completely upside down.” The minister expressed optimism for the future, noting the training of new management personnel and the potential re-engagement of experienced retirees. “Young management is being trained and they will soon be deployed. There are plenty of people with their hearts in the right place,” he said. “We are committed to the accelerated development of the agricultural sector and are further tightening the policy.”
