| Guyana cooperating fully with regional, int’l efforts at curbing drug trade ...realises it cannot combat this problem alone |  |  |  |
| Wednesday, 15 May 2013 00:02 |
WHILE Guyana is well aware that it continues to be exploited for the illegal transhipment of drugs, it also recognises that it cannot fight this problem all by itself.
 Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee Transnational drug trafficking is of growing concern to countries around the world, and particularly the illicit trade’s broad impact on development. Few, if any, countries are exempt. Drug trafficking has particularly severe implications because of the vast illegal profits it generates: an estimated $322B dollars a year. Guyana and neighbouring Suriname, as well as sister CARICOM countries, continue to be exploited for the illegal transshipment of cocaine in particular. Guyana has however recognized that it cannot combat this drug problem alone. Therefore Guyana has been cooperating fully with regional and international efforts aimed at curbing this illicit trade. There is no existing agreement between Guyana and Suriname that hinders the fight against cross-border drug trafficking. Guyana, in conjunction with neighbouring states, has always acted resolutely in dealing with criminals who sell drugs, those who facilitate transshipment, money laundering, and the illicit cultivation of drugs. The Hemispheric Drug Strategy and its supporting Action Plan of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) are being used as a guide for the development of national counter drug policy, including the new National Drug Strategy Master Plan. Guyana has also developed an on-going relation with the CICAD Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM). Progress through bilateral cooperation continues with the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Home Affairs of Guyana and the Federal Service of the Russian Federation for Narcotics Traffic Control on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors. Additionally, Guyana has continued to promote its counter drug bilateral agreements with Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, and Colombia, among other states. The MOU on countering cross border crimes between the Ministry of Home Affairs and its counterpart ministry in Suriname continues to function well. The Guyana-Venezuela drug Agreement was re-negotiated and revised to meet new challenges. It was initialled by both sides on 9th February, 2011, and only a few days ago, signed into effect by both countries. Over the past four years, the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) and Anti Narcotic counterparts in Suriname have enjoyed a good working relationship. Officers interact frequently and sharing of intelligence occurs as the need arises. CANU has conducted successful operations based on information shared with Surinamese counterparts and has also been instrumental in providing information which led to some seizures in the neighbouring country. Representatives of the Ministry and Law Enforcement were active participants at international events organised by UNASUR, the OAS, UNODC, IMPACS and at international events organised by UNASUR, the OAS, UNODC, IMPACS and CONSLE. By participating in these events, the Ministry of Home Affairs has gained a deeper and broader appreciation of regional, hemispheric and global developments and trends in respect to the global fight against crime, trafficking in narcotics and firearms, and the collective efforts that are required to cooperate in countering these criminal enterprises. Other international cooperation initiatives maintained or implemented by Guyana that will impact counter narcotic efforts in the region are: a. Membership of the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) b. Participation in the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBSI), including the Digital Fingerprint Network Agreement and other programmes aimed at countering regional security threats, including the drug trade. c. Implementation of cross-border security measures between Guyana and Brazil to deal with the movement of people and goods between Lethem – Bon Fim and close environs. d. Adjustments to the authorised Ports of Entry to Guyana. e. Hosted first meeting between Guyana and Suriname’s National Intelligence Agencies. The government promotes fighting the illicit drug trade as an important national security objective, and has continued to vigorously develop and implement national counter narcotics policies to avert the negative effect of the scourge on the nation and its citizens. While the formulation of a new NDSMP is well underway, implementation of those incomplete plans and programmes of the previous strategy are still on-going. |
