Anti- Narcotics campaign intensifies
Guyana Chronicle
December 1, 2003
THE intensification of the anti-narcotics campaign by various law enforcement agencies has led to an increase in the arrests of drug traffickers and the interception of narcotics being smuggled out of Guyana.
Recently, 25 persons were arrested in a drug smuggling ring operating out of the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, in which drugs were being carried on numerous flights from Guyana and Jamaica. Surveillance was being carried out over a 14-month period.
In his last media briefing, Dr. Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon disclosed that there are three levels of security at the airport, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the Police Narcotics Division and private security hired by the airlines.
A network of surveillance cameras will soon be installed at strategic locations at the airport, including the loading, arrival and departure sections.
This has followed a number of anti-narcotics interventions by the Government and law enforcement agencies.
• In 1994, an agreement was signed between the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the Government of Colombia in which Guyanese law enforcement officers benefited from anti-narcotics training.
• The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) was established in an effort to assist in curbing narco-trafficking. This agency has been in existence eight years now.
• The Narcotics Unit has benefited from cooperation from neighbouring countries Suriname, Venezuela and Brazil and the Caribbean, with the exception of Cuba. There is a U.S Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) representative in Venezuela and one in Suriname. In Brazil, officers from CANU have their connections. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is trying to formalize links among these countries and others worldwide.
• There is also a United Kingdom liaison officer in Trinidad and Tobago with responsibility for Guyana. This collaboration has seen success in operations and is based on the sharing of information to control narco-trafficking.
• Guyana is an active participant of the Regional Drug Squad Commanders (RDSC), established in 1993, and meets annually with a view to curbing narco-trafficking. Operations Summer Storm and Hurricane are two of several operations in which Guyana participated.
• Each year CANU officers and officers from the Guyana Police Force undergo intense training in narcotic investigations in Jamaica. To date, 379 officers have benefited from this training.
• Monies used to fund the overseas training come from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
• Training is done by the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Centre (REDTRACK) in Jamaica.
• More than 149,108 kilogrammes of cannabis was sized since 1992 with over 3,200 cases made, and more than 3,700 persons being charged by the GPF Narcotics branch and CANU.
• More than 6,700 kilogrammes of cocaine was seized with over 1,300 cases made, and over 1,500 persons have been charged with the offence by the GPF Narcotics branch and CANU.
• Police and CANU presence at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the country's borders has intensified, to track the illegal substances arriving or leaving the country.
• Sniffer dogs are being trained and at the moment seven are based at the CBJ International airport.
• In April 2001, Guyana and the United States signed a Shiprider Agreement to suppress illicit traffic by sea and air. The agreement seeks to reduce the ability of illicit narcotics traffickers to elude maritime law enforcement agencies within and outside the territorial waters of Guyana, as well as to strengthen Guyana's maritime law enforcement capabilities.
On July 23, 2003, the National Assembly passed the Maritime Drug Trafficking (Suppression) Bill 2003. The Bill will provide the legal framework for the implementation of provisions of international, hemispheric, regional and bilateral agreements, of which Guyana is a part.
• Within the provision of the Bill, law enforcement officials of a treaty state, may, with the permission of Guyana, embark on a Guyanese law enforcement vessel to carry out law enforcement action. Assistance may also be given by Guyana to permit law enforcement vessels of a treaty state to follow a foreign aircraft or vessel into Guyana's water.
• The United States has been instrumental in increasing the capabilities of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to patrol its borders by providing four motor lifeboats for the Coast Guard.
• Guyana plays an active role in the Regional Task Force on Crime and Security in which Ministers and Attorneys General with the responsibility for national security within the Caribbean hold meetings in an effort to control illegal activities.
• Brazil has had law enforcement officers from foreign territories, Guyana and Suriname to work in their country to control narco-trafficking. This is the first time ever that such an operation has been held. Operation GUISU occurred December last.
• Upon request, members of CANU and the GPF will give lectures to school children and teachers on the dangers of using illegal drugs.
• Under the Fugitive Offenders Act, drug offenders can be extradited to treaty and non-treaty countries.
• Guyana is also linked to INTERPOL, one of the world's biggest coordinators of drug interdiction agencies. The Narcotics Unit also plays an active role in the World Customs Organisation.