Seeram lands top border patrol job

Apr 07, 2026 News

…new unit to target smuggling, trafficking across Guyana’s frontiers

By Shania Williams

(Kaieteur News) – The newly launched border patrol unit is set to take aim at smuggling, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes as Guyana moves to strengthen security along its vast and vulnerable frontiers.

President Irfaan Ali on Sunday announced the rollout of the initiative in Region Nine, describing it as a critical step in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and curbing illegal activities.

The unit will be coordinated by Daniel Seeram and will work in close collaboration with senior security officials including Deputy Police Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram and Colonel Sheldon Howell of the National Intelligence and Security Agency to bring full operational capacity to border regions.

National Coordinator of the Guyana Border Patrol Unit, Daniel Seeram

Seeram, a former PNCR executive who defected to the PPP/C in the run up to last year’s general and regional elections, is also a former captain of the Guyana Defence Force. He also served as Chairman of Region Four.

Meanwhile, the border patrol initiative is expected to bolster protection along Guyana’s porous borders amid growing security concerns. As part of the rollout, Community Policing Groups will be expanded from 30 to 40 members across Rukumutu, Yurong Paru and Tipuru, with stipends and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) being provided to aid patrol activities.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Monday, Seeram revealed that discussions surrounding his appointment had been ongoing for some time. “I am very excited to lead such a unit. In this time in Guyana, it is very much needed for a border patrolling unit. As we have noticed, over the years, issues concerning our borders have become a topical issue,” he said. He added, “I was in discussions with His Excellency about this appointment since last year as we ironed out matters of the appointment, I must say that there are a lot of things to put in place in such a unit and I find it very fitting for His Excellency to decide to do the official launching for this new agency within Region Nine and within three villages, which make up some of the bordering villages.”

Outlining the mandate of the newly established unit, Seeram said it is intended to provide comprehensive oversight of Guyana’s borders and clamp down on a wide range of illegal activities. “The border patrol unit is a unit that was established by the government to look over all bordering issues. Our primary mandate at this time is to detect, detour, and dismantle all transnational smuggling operations, which include human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, arms and ammunition trafficking, trafficking of our natural resources and any other illicit trade on our borders,” he said.

He noted that the unit’s operations will not be limited to Region Nine but will extend to all of Guyana’s borders, including both land and riverine areas, as authorities intensify efforts to combat cross-border crime.

Seeram noted that recruitment is expected to begin shortly, starting with persons already involved in community policing groups. “We will be looking for able bodied portions to come and work for the unit and work for the government of Guyana through this unit to provide the services which we will advertise in the coming months,” he said. Seeram added, “we will be looking at the community policing groups first within those bordering villages to have our first intake of personnel to provide services to the border patrol unit and then thereafter we will be building out the core part of the unit in terms of operations, logistics, administration, training, and other arms of the unit that will come to fruition as the months go by.”

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Cross border crimes, Daniel Seeram, Guyana Border Patrol Unit, smuggling, trafficking

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