(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – President Desi Bouterse does not want the war on drugs to relapse. Suriname’s harsh stance against drugs trafficking and its policy in the past few years has been successful, attracting much acclaim. Even the Netherlands have joined those that praise Suriname for its anti-drugs policy. Recently the Dutch Justice Minister remarked that the number of drugs transports has significantly been cut down since this new Administration took office.
Former Cicad chair, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, submitted a final report on his term as chairman to the President. Bouterse, at the meeting with Santhoki, expressed his relief over the position Suriname currently has on this issue. Santhoki points out that Suriname can consolidate its current position if it carries out the Drugs Master plan and the close cooperation with the Cicad is expanded. ‘I’m happy that we get acknowledgement for our success, for it wasn’t an easy ride with all those drugs transports to the Netherlands,’ the former Cicad chair says. He cites the 100 percent inspection for Surinamese travelers to the Netherlands, the narcotics bias and international reproach. Justice Minister Martin Misiedjan is also pleased with the success. ‘If Holland says that fewer people were caught trying to smuggle in drugs since this Administration took office, then it means that we’re doing a good job over here. What we know for sure is that since the creation of the BID team, it has become extremely hard for people to smuggle drugs, so now the Dutch have fewer to catch,’ Misiedjan told de Ware Tijd. ‘It means that we’re intercepting the culprits here, but also that the drugs mafia is now aware that their opportunities have become very limited.’ Santokhi says that the previous Administration laid the basis for this success. He favors continuation and deepening of the current policy. Suriname has a leading role in the region with its drugs Master Plan and this must stay that way. President Bouterse underscores this statement. He has instructed National Security chief Melvin Linscheer to implement measures that will create structures for carrying out the anti-drugs policy, guaranteeing that no relapsing takes place and that current success is expanded.
