Pact to combat drugs in shipping containers signed

Guyana and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on Monday signed an agreement to establish a Port Control Unit in the country which will assist in combating the threats posed by drug and gun traffickers using shipping containers to ply their trade.

Large amounts of drugs have transited in and out of Guyana on cargo and other ships in recent times. Despite the interception of some by local law enforcement, the United States and international agencies believe that large volumes pass through the country’s borders undetected.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the signing is most significant in that it ushers in a new dimension in the fight against illicit drug trafficking – a maritime aspect. He said hopefully it will see the gradual elimination of this menace to humanity.
Rohee disclosed that the genesis of the signing was correspondence that was sent to Guyana Revenue Authority Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur by Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) Interim Executive Director Francis Forbes, advising of a proposal to conduct maritime port assessments, with the hope of paving the way for Guyana to join the Container Control Programme.
A visit was subsequently made to Guyana May 7-9, to meet with the relevant stakeholders, including the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, GRA, and other agencies.
Rohee noted that Guyana has always seen it fit, with its limited resources, to do as much possible to interface with the international community in the fight against illicit drugs and all that it entails.
According to the minister, Guyana sees itself in partnership not only with UNODC, but also with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and IMPACS. He said it is a good beginning, and much will be expected of those persons who upon completion of training will be tasked with manning and controlling the unit.
UNODC Regional Manager for the Container Control Programme, Troels Vester explained that the project, which is being funded by the United States government to the tune of US$ 500,000, will involve a team of analysts and inspectors who are expected to carry out their duties and responsibilities with ease. It will also bring about the establishment of an inter-agency unit which involves the GRA, the GPF, and the CANU. A two-week training programme would also be conducted for both Guyanese and Surinamese officers from October 1 to October 12.

Sustainable
enforcement structures
The programme was originally designed to create sustainable enforcement structures in sea ports and dry ports to assist in the reduction of the above mentioned crimes.
According to U. S. Ambassador D Brendt Hardt, the illicit trafficking of drugs through seaports represents a significant threat to the economy and to the security of all people.
“Global drug trade erodes and weakens the flow of legal trade, destabilises economies, and it contributes to corruption around the world… This is why the USA has been committed to multi-agency efforts to combat narcotics trade and other illicit trafficking.
The U. S. State Department’s bureau of international narcotics and law enforcement is focused on reducing illicit trafficking, reducing the impact from illicit drugs and other international crimes through global partnerships.”
He noted that Guyana should be commended for its “record-setting pace” in inking such an MoU, and his country is pleased to have provided funding for this initiative to increase port security and to prevent lawful maritime cargo containers to be used for unlawful activities.
The Container Control Programme is aimed at helping governments establish effective container controls that will serve to prevent drug trafficking and other illicit activities while facilitating legal trade.
As part of the programme, Joint Port Control Units, comprising officers from different law enforcement bodies (e.g. Customs and the police), will be created at selected ports.
The programme also aims to promote the formation of alliances between the Customs, trade and enforcement communities as a means to prevent the abuse of legitimate commercial trade for the purposes of organised crime.
Additionally, the Container Control Programme provides a comprehensive basis for Joint Port Control Units to exchange information and intelligence, and use risk assessment and targeting techniques to identify high risk consignments for law enforcement scrutiny without hindering the free flow of legitimate trade.