Georgetown : A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between officials from the Government of Guyana and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to facilitate the implementation of the Container Control Programme to assist states in protecting their import and export ports to prevent the smuggling of drugs and contraband in containers.
Guyana is the first country in the Caribbean to sign on to the programme and will be followed by Suriname on August 22.
The MoU caters for the establishment of a port control unit in Guyana which will assist in combating the threat posed by traffickers using the maritime chain to further their illegal activities.
Officers from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Police Force, Customs and Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) will receive training to make operational the Unit which will be stationed at the John Fernandes wharf and is expected to start functioning on October 15.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee said the signing of the MOU is a significant venture since it ushers in unique dimensions in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and fire arms. It is hoped that through this programme there will be a gradual elimination of this menace to ports worldwide.
Minister Rohee explained that the genesis of the document stems from correspondence between GRA’s Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur and Interim Director – Implementation Agency for Crime and Security Impact, Francis Forbes, who advised Mr. Sattaur about a proposal to conduct a maritime port assessment with the hope of paving the way for Guyanato join the container control programme.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt acknowledged that the trafficking of illicit drugs to sea ports represents a significant threat to the economy and the security of citizens this is why the US has been promoting multi – agency efforts to combat narcotics trade and other related trafficking activities.
He explained that the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement is focused on reducing the impact of illicit trafficking of drugs and other international crimes through global partnerships.
Ambassador Hardt indicated that signing of the container control MoU is a great step towards reducing illicit trafficking of drugs and other items while at the same time enhancing the capacity of Guyana’s law enforcement to effectively tackle illicit trade at dry and water ports.
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