US prepared to loan specialized equipment to tackle drug trafficking through Guyana’s airports
The US Ambassador, who has a wealth of experience in fighting drug trafficking, told News Source that the airport issue is one that must be examined. He said while the drug pushers may be able to corrupt employees with payments that might be 100 times more than their salaries.
With the Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States getting ready to have its office in Guyana permanently staffed, the US Ambassador to Guyana has indicated that his government is prepared to assist Guyana with specialized equipment to further tackle the narco trafficking problem through the country’s airports.
Over the years, there have been a significant number of drug mules busted at New York’s JFK Airport following their arrival from Guyana. Local authorities have also been able to arrest drug traffickers during their efforts to move through the local airports.
During an interview on Friday at the US Embassy in Georgetown, new US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Halloway, indicated that there is recognition that a need exists for greater strengthening of security at the airports in Guyana.
He said the US is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding soon with the Guyana government to allow Guyana to access specialized equipment.
“We are hoping, sometime in the future, to be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the government which will allow us to loan some specialized equipment which will help them with their challenges at the airport”, Ambassador Halloway said.
One of the challenges at the airports in Guyana remains the human factor.
A number of Guyana airport employees have in the past, been arrested and charged for their role in assisting drug traffickers.