Rohee’s Ministry defends Guyana’s fight against transnational narco trafficking

May 15, 2013 News

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In the face of severe criticism, and perceived failure, the Ministry of Home Affairs is staunchly defending Guyana’s fight against transnational narcotics trade.
In a detailed statement issued yesterday in the wake of recent exposures on drug trafficking between Guyana and Suriname, the Ministry sought to set the record straight with details of collaboration between the two neighbouring states and other international partners.
Transnational drug trafficking, with an estimated profit generation of $322B annually, is of growing concern to countries around the world, particularly its broad impact on development.
Of course with Guyana being a lucrative transshipment point for South American-produced cocaine, the local administration and its law enforcement agencies have come under intense scrutiny, especially by those who are convinced that very little is being done to apprehend major traffickers.
The Home Affairs Ministry has acknowledged that Guyana and neighbouring Suriname as well as sister CARICOM countries continue to be exploited for the illegal transshipment of cocaine in particular.
However, according to the Ministry, since it is recognized that Guyana cannot combat this drug problem alone, the administration, therefore, has been cooperating fully with regional and international efforts aimed at curbing this illicit trade.
A recent article had pointed to some hindrances in the fight against trafficking of drugs between Guyana and Suriname.
But the ministry rejected this, pointing out that “there is no existing agreement between Guyana and Suriname that hinders the fight against cross border drug trafficking… Guyana in conjunction with neighbouring states has always acted resolutely in dealing with criminals who sell drugs, those who facilitate transshipment, money laundering, and the illicit cultivation of drugs.”
The Ministry noted that over the past four years, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and Anti Narcotic counterparts in Suriname have enjoyed a good working relationship. Officers interact frequently and sharing of intelligence occurs as the need arises.
The Ministry said that CANU has conducted successful operations based on information shared with Surinamese counterparts and has also been instrumental in providing information which led to some seizures in the neighbouring country.
It added that the MOU on countering cross-border crimes between the Ministry of Home Affairs and its counterpart Ministry in Suriname continues to function well. The Guyana-Venezuela Drug Agreement was re-negotiated and revised to meet new challenges.  It was initialed by both sides on 9th February 2011 and only a few days ago signed into effect by both countries, the Home Affairs Ministry explained.
According to the Ministry, progress through bilateral cooperation continues, with the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Home Affairs of Guyana and the Federal Service of the Russian Federation for Narcotics Traffic Control on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors.
Additionally Guyana has continued to promote its counter drug bilateral agreements with Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, and Colombia among other states.
“The government promotes fighting the illicit drug trade as an important national security objective and has continued to vigorously develop and implement national counter narcotics policies to avert the negative effect of the scourge on the nation and its citizens,” the ministry stated, adding that combating the drug trade in Guyana has seen a strong commitment by Law Enforcement Agencies to pursue drug traffickers and dismantle their operations.
However, there is a different perception, with many convinced that local anti drug agents are merely scraping the tip of the iceberg. While there have been many local minor drug busts and a miniscule amount of large interception, huge quantities of cocaine originating from Guyana have been intercepted at foreign ports, leading to the legitimate conclusion that the Guyana side of the fight against illegal drugs is slack.
Meanwhile the ministry said that regardless of the new developing trends of the global drug problem, indications are that Government will remain firm in its commitment to institute more effective policies to enable agencies and departments under the purview of the security and health sectors to achieve their mandates in accordance with international and domestic laws.
“Guyana is committed to regional and international collaboration in areas such as information sharing, training, and reporting of best practices in law enforcement, abuse prevention, education and the principle of mutual support among all states in the fight against the world drug problem,” the Ministry declared.

 

 

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