Latest update May 20th, 2026 12:35 AM
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APNU assures GDF of budget allocation support
Any new Drug Strategy Master Plan must be covered by the enabling legislation promised by the soon to be enacted Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.
This was reiterated by Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips during a recent meeting with Opposition Leader David Granger and a delegation from A Partnership for National Unity, (APNU).
(From left) Joe Harmon, COS Brigadier Mark Phillips, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, Winston Felix, and Deputy COS Col. Kemraj Persaud.
APNU paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Staff at Army Headquarters, Camp Ayanganna last Wednesday.
According to a statement from the GDF, in light of the Chief of Staff’s position on the drug issue, the Opposition Leader committed himself to the support of the passage of the contentious Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act in the House of Assembly.
Brigadier Phillips, along with other senior GDF officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Khemraj Persaud, on Wednesday last engaged in discussions which were centered on the new dimension of narco-terrorism and the volume of drugs being shipped through Guyana.
The visiting team, which also included Members of Parliament Joseph Harmon and Winston Felix, highlighted APNU’s concern of the holistic nature of smuggling in Guyana. It takes into account the illegal trafficking in fuel, drugs, gold and wildlife.
The delegation also registered its concern with the involvement of the Italian Mafia having Guyanese connections in cocaine trafficking, and its impact on the security of senior government personnel and leaders.
The opposition team also relayed its concerns for the absence of an effective Drug Strategy Master Plan and the “inability of the authorities to maintain a viable counter-narcotic scheme.”
To this end, it extended an expectation that the Guyana Defence Force would lead the Joint Services in the effort against Narco-Trafficking.
According to the army statement, the Opposition delegation also indicated their support for the recapitalisation of the Guyana Defence Force in the acquisition of aviation, maritime and land transport assets to combat narco-trafficking and assured the Force’s leadership of its support of GDF’s budget in the National Assembly.
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