The Ministry of Home Affairs says the contents of Stabroek News article of December 09, 2012 captioned “Cocaine Flowing despite Big Noise over Seizures – Granger” is disturbing.
The Home Ministry points out that Cocaine is being transshipped through many countries around the world, Guyana being no exception. Guyana’s geo-strategic location is not an excuse but rather a fact that makes the country an attractive target for drug traffickers. Ironically, it should be appreciated that when established law enforcement counter drugs measures are penetrated and drugs pass through Guyana, those drugs are clearly being shipped to other countries, much the same as other countries with equal counter drug measures in place, would be perceived when shipments leave their shores for Guyana.
The Government of Guyana recognizes the negative effects that would result in the absence of strong counter drug programmes and is therefore committed to the constant implementation of national, hemispheric and global measures to strengthen the nation’s fight against drug. Additionally, Guyana is constantly engaged in discussions with neighbouring countries with a view to reviewing and upgrading counter drug agreements to ensure their relevance.
Mr. Granger stated that “the Government and the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) create big noise when cocaine is discovered on the way out”.
Whenever drugs are found concealed at a specific storage location or seized immediately before being shipped out of the country, it is quite normal that there would be media coverage. The incidents of recent seizures of cocaine in soap powder, drinking straws and fish food were given media coverage as any previous drug seizure that amounts to double digits or higher in kilograms, would normally receive.
The Ministry went on to say “Media coverage of drug seizures also improves public awareness of law enforcement agencies working together effectively, despite parliament’s 2012 budget cuts and negative comments by the Opposition Leader. Further, it is hoped that media coverage would act as a deterrent to persons currently involved in illegal activities as well as those considering getting involved in similar nefarious activities.
While it can be said that traffickers have become ingenious in their methods of concealing illegal drugs for shipment out of Guyana, (coconut milk, soap powder etc) it must be categorically stated, that Guyana does not produce cocaine as suggested by an uninformed writer of a letter which appeared recently in the Guyana Chronicle.”
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