DEA investigators course for local law enforcement officers begins
Georgetown, GINA, September 17, 2012 -- Source - GINA
Twenty-four officers drawn from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) today commenced a Drug Investigators Course, which is being conducted by the GPF in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The aim of the course is to enhance the participants’ knowledge and techniques as it relates to drug enforcement and to educate them of the current trends in drug trafficking.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the Drug Investigators’ Course at Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary
A quantity of drug fighting equipment were also handed over to local law enforcement agencies; bringing the total value of equipment that was offered by the US in this fiscal year to about US $45,000 or G $9M.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Police Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee said that this training initiative is considered to be very timely and expressed the Guyana Government’s gratitude to the US for its continuous efforts to forge closer bilateral cooperation to combat the scourge of illegal drugs.
“The Government of Guyana fully supports this stir of international cooperation that has been further strengthened through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). This collaborative effort has seen many steps being taken by our two countries to build capacity of the law enforcement agencies in Guyana,” the Home Affairs Minister said.
In front row-
(L) Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, James Singh, Programme Coordinator, Heather Brooks, US Ambassador Brent Hardt, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, Police Commissioner (ag), Leroy Brummel, and Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud and participants of the Drug Investigators’ Course.
He highlighted that collaboration is an indication that a holistic view is being taken of the issue of public security in Guyana by the two countries.
The international drug trade poses a dire threat to many countries of the world and the welfare of people and because of the way it is organised, it cannot be successfully dismantled by any single country.
As such, it is important that all countries work together in order to combat this scourge.
Guyana has recognised this and has been working with neighbouring countries, CARICOM and countries of the hemisphere to facilitate a coordinated approach to suppress the narcotics trade. This has seen the signing of several bilateral agreements with its three immediate neighbours, Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela.
Programme Coordinator, Heather Brooks handing over the drug-fighting equipment to Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud and Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, James Singh
Additionally, at the level of CARICOM, Guyana has been actively cooperating at both the political and law enforcement levels to ensure the presence of the much needed synergy in tackling this trade.
Guyana is also party to the UNASUR plan of action to address the world’s drug problem and has established links with countries in Europe and Africa in its efforts at combating illegal drugs.
“Greater inter-agency cooperation is necessary if Guyana is to succeed in this fight at the national and international levels,” Minister Rohee said.
He also pointed to the need for capacity building of local agencies with regards to their ability to conduct good investigations. To this end, this training includes subject areas such as narcotic investigations, legal updates and case developments, all of which are vital in order to have successful prosecution of people who are charged with narcotic-related offences.
Government has also been investing significant sums of money, as well as improving its legislative framework, which goes hand-in-hand in the fight against the drug trade.
At present, the security sector is working assiduously to complete the drafting of a new drug strategy master plan. This will be used to guide the country’s current and future anti-narcotic activities.
“In Guyana, the drugs that are mostly seized by law enforcement agencies are cocaine and marijuana; however, because of globalisation, the possibility of synthetic drugs and heroin finding their way in our country in larger quantities cannot be discounted. As a consequence, I call upon our law enforcement agencies to be on the alert for other illegal drugs arriving at our shores and to be prepared to take preventative actions to restrict entry,” Minister Rohee said.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt said that the drug trade de-stabilises economic progress throughout the region, threatens public safety and make it more likely for the vulnerable population to be lured into recruitment by criminal organisations.
He explained that transnational trafficking; including drug trafficking is a major threat to Governments and security throughout the Caribbean. Trafficking of drugs, arms, people and even counterfeit medicines provides large benefits to criminal networks.
These profits undermine the rule of law and make it harder for countries to reach their broader social and economical objectives.
“To prevent these extortions the US is committed to funding, through the CBSI and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the State Department, to deepen our partnership with Government and people of Guyana by providing training, equipment and other resources to help combat these threats,” the Ambassador said.
The CBSI was established by President Barack Obama in 2010 with a joint pledge to create a strong partnership with the US and the Caribbean. It was built on three core objectives: to reduce illicit trafficking of narcotics and illegal weapons, to advance public safety and security and to promote social justice.
These objectives were developed and agreed upon by the US and countries of the Caribbean.
This training programme will also complement and support the launch of the US Container Control Programme implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Guyana is one of the first countries in the Caribbean to participate in this programme, which will enhance the ability of law enforcement authorities to intercept terrorist activities and to combat the smuggling of narcotics and weapons.