Latest update March 26th, 2026 7:55 AM
Guyana and France step up cross border crime fight
…meeting follows major fake-passport bust
(Kaieteur News) – Guyana and France have ramped up their security partnership as Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) sat down this week with a high-level French delegation led by Olivier Plançon, Ambassador of France to Guyana. The talks centred on strengthening operational coordination and building a more muscular response to the growing web of cross-border criminal activity across the Guyana Shield.
High-ranking officials of the Guyana and French Police Forces pose for a photo.
According to a release from the GPF, the French Commander of Police, Jean-Michel Canestrier and Mr. Maxence Kauffmann, his collaborator, were also present. The meeting held on Tuesday focused on bilateral security cooperation as well as developing new areas of strategic collaboration between the two police forces.
“Commander Canestrier, the French regional security advisor competent for Guyana and Suriname, joined senior GPF officers in detailed discussions on strengthening operational partnerships. Both sides acknowledged the strong and effective working relationship that already exists between the two entities, which was recently demonstrated in the successful handling of a case involving French fake passports. The discussions emphasised the importance of continued joint action and cooperation,” GPF said.
Inclusive in the key points discussed was the proposal for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the French and Guyana Police Forces, formalising the cooperation framework and support sustained partnership in critical security areas.
Additionally, both sides explored ways to strengthen mechanisms for operational coordination, including real-time exchange of information and cross-border alerts alongside investigative support. All of this is in the aim to improve effectiveness of joint responses to criminal activities that impact both jurisdictions.
“Arrangements were discussed for joint visits to police facilities and services. These visits would allow both sides to better understand each other’s systems, capabilities and best practices, further supporting coordinated operations,” the statement said.
Also addressed in the meeting was cooperation regarding the digitisation and computerisation of police work. The discussions examined the use of investigative technologies, systems to manage data and border security tools to strengthen modernisation efforts within both police forces.
Capacity building and training were also key areas of focus, and both sides agreed that initial action could begin with training in the detection of fake documents. The training will cover the identification of features in the Guyanese, French and European Union identity and travel documents, as well as the methods that are used in the production and detection of fraudulent documents and investigative techniques for document fraud cases. A wider training plan will be finalised later.
“Officials acknowledged that Guyana and France through French Guiana, face similar criminal threats across the Guyana Shield. These include narcotrafficking, gold smuggling, human trafficking and arms trafficking and illegal immigration. The meeting also noted that illegal immigration is expected to increase with the recent launch of the direct flight between Georgetown and Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s major airport hubs. Strengthened cooperation will enhance both countries’ ability to monitor, investigate and prevent cross-border criminal activity,” the GPF added.
Also attending the meeting were Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram; Finance Officer, Senior Superintendent Bharat Persaud; Head of the Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit for Police Reform, Senior Superintendent, Dr. Nicola Kendall and Second-in-Command ‘Administration’, Superintendent Ms. Jewel Sullivan.
“The Guyana Police Force reaffirms its commitment to strong regional and international partnerships to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all citizens. The Force looks forward to deepening its cooperation with French authorities as both sides continue to confront shared transnational threats,” the police said.
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