Latest update June 3rd, 2026 12:40 AM
Drug-free travel at Timehri
DEAR EDITOR,
Guyanese returning to visit their homeland often worry about drugs being planted in their luggage at the airport. They also have to worry about items given to them by apparent well-meaning relatives or friends.
Quite often there are items in the news where unsuspecting travelers are charged with carrying drugs in items given to them by others. This situation has made many Guyanese leery about visiting their homeland.
Here is a suggestion which I think is practical and would make it safer for travelers.
Outgoing travelers should be given the option of paying $2000 to have their luggage and items searched and sniffed by the airport police/security at check-in.
If any drugs are found they are not to be held responsible since they volunteered for the paid search.
As a traveler I would feel much safer knowing my luggage is cleared by security before I proceed. On arrival at my destination I would be much more confident that I am “clean.”
The downside of this plan is the person who intends carrying drugs may pay a lot more to the “security” to pass his luggage.
However, if the security in charge of this paid search wants to continue earning their $2000 a search, it is in their own interest to be thorough and honest about their jobs.
If one “cleared” luggage is found later with drugs, the credibility of the search would be shot. This is just one small way of alleviating the situation at Timehri where drugs in passengers’ baggage is concerned.
I hope my humble suggestion is seen by or passed on to the relevant authority and it is implemented soon in the new year.
Malcolm Alves
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