Guyana/Venezuela cooperation indispensable to combat narco-trafficking
-Home Affairs Ministry on verge of developing 2011-2015 drug plan

A Guyanese delegation led by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee today met with officials from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by Ambassador Dario Morandy to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking and use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors and other related offences.
Minister Rohee in his remarks said that the meeting was held at an opportune time since Guyana is at the cusp of developing a successor 2011-2015 National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

“A key component of any narcotics strategy for Guyana must be cooperation and coordination with its neighbours, especially in view of the fact that much of the drug activities associated with Guyana have their origins beyond the country’s borders,” the Minister said.
He pointed out that it is an incontrovertible fact that the suppression of the drug trade cannot start and end with national jurisdictions and therefore regional and international cooperation and coordinated actions is necessary.
Guyana and Venezuela share a border that is approximately 672 kilometers (420 miles) long. There is a vast body of water through which the two countries are connected.
Minister Rohee explained that the monitoring of territories of this size in an era of increasing technological advancement and the acumen of the perpetrators of the trade in illegal drugs would be a challenge for a State that has an abundance of resources much less developing countries such as Guyana and Venezuela which have competing demands.
In recognition of this fact, Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Hugo Chavez at a meeting in Caracas in July 2010 came to an agreement that efforts have to be made to enhance and intensify cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies between the two countries.
It is believed that the scourge in the drug trade gives rise to other forms of nefarious activities which include: gun running, kidnapping, murders, and other wanton criminal activities.
It is envisaged that the instruments that will be agreed on to enhance cooperation between Guyana and Venezuela will include assistance in the confiscation of assets of those convicted of the involvement in the trade of illegal drugs, and ensure real time cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies of both countries.
The Minister pointed out that much has been said about Guyana’s implementation of its 2005-2009 National Drug Strategy Master Plan and that many argue that the plan only exists in “the books”.
“I wish to assure every Guyanese that this is not so, of the 36 programmes identified for implementation under the strategy 17 have been concluded, 16 are works in progress and only three have not commenced implementation,” Minister Rohee said.
He added that while it is true that the plan had a duration of five years, however, the implementation of any strategic plan depends on the timely availability of resources.
Last year, significant strides were made with regards to the fight against the drug trade in Guyana. The seizures of cannabis amounted to 191, 877 kilogrammes (Kg) and 537 persons were arrested and charged.
The cocaine seizures on the other hand, amounted to about 72Kg, which resulted in 132 persons being arrested and charged. Additionally, eradication exercises were conducted on 61 cannabis fields (97 acres) with plants weighing a total of 185,221 Kg.
The key elements in the fight against narco-trafficking in Guyana include:

Providing more human and technological resources to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the narcotics branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Continuing enhancement of CANU’s and GPF’s capacity at all legal and illegal ports of entry as well as exit points.
Dismantling all suspected networks at air and sea ports.
Identifying transshipment routes and use appropriate equipment to interdict suspects.
Enhancing maritime intelligence by establishing relevant databases and profiling of vessels.
Using advanced technology to conduct effective raids and searches.
Continuing to work towards more effective networking with foreign counterparts.
Increasing information and intelligence driven operations.
Continuing to upgrade security arrangements at the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle International Airports to stem the outflow of drugs.
And continuing to ensure accountability and transparency in the activities of law enforcement agencies through regular polygraphing.
Minister Rohee said that, “today further action is being taken to ensure that the instruments that we have in place to facilitate the cooperation and coordination is responsive to the present and emerging modus operandi of the operators of the illegal trade as well as their facilitators.”
Both Guyana and Venezuela are aware of the multilateral instruments that can be used to assist the cooperative efforts, but as neighbouring States, direct communication and cooperation are indispensable to those who are involved in trafficking in narcotics.
Morandy in his brief remarks expressed his Government’s satisfaction with regards to the level of cooperation that the two countries are embarking on.
“This meeting is a continuation of the work that has been going on between both countries with the objective of signing an agreement for the suppression of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs,” he said.
He added that with this agreement, Venezuela is seeking to strengthen the cooperation with Guyana and to advance the regional integration in the fight against the drug trade that causes much harm to both nations.