Searches at all ports throughout the country will continue in keeping with the Cus-toms Anti-Narcotic Unit’s (CANU) mandate in an effort to curb the occurrence of trafficking in narcotics, the agency’s Legal Officer Konyo Sandiford says.
Sandiford, in a statement issued last evening, was at the time responding to questions raised by members of the media with regards to the recent concerns by passengers who claimed they were subjected to cavity searches by CANU officers.
“Law enforcement operatives at all ports in Guyana have been and will continue to conduct their searches of passengers, luggage, vehicles etc. at all ports of entry and exit in Guyana lawfully and in accordance with local and international standards with due cordiality and professionalism,” the statement said.
The process, according to Sandiford, has been successful in preventing the trafficking of narcotics, particularly cocaine, through local ports.
“In keeping with CANU’s mandate to stem the trafficking of narcotics the unit has been successful in thwarting a number of passengers from using their bodies, luggage, cargo and other objects to traffic narcotics (cocaine in particular) through Guyana’s ports,” the statement added.
Sandiford further stated that the agency will continue to provide assistance in maintaining a credible image of Guyanese travelers and will continue to abide by the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act Chapter 10:10 of the Laws of Guyana.
On Monday, New York-based Guyanese Ayana Adams, said she was subjected to a cavity search while travelling as an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.
The woman is currently preparing to file a lawsuit against the Government of Guyana and CANU.
“I will be suing (the government and CANU on her behalf) for compensation for humiliation and her losses. It is a case of clear discrimination and profiling… she is a student studying to become a medical nurse and currently has two jobs as a medical assistant and has no previous breaches with the law,” attorney Siand Dhurjon, who is representing Adams, had told this newspaper.
Dhurjon explained that on Sunday, as Adams was going through the check-in process, her bags were searched, and she was later asked to be subjected to a cavity search.
He said before his client was subjected to the cavity search, she was able to clear immigration and proceeded to the security checkpoint.
After completing the security check, she was pulled aside by the rank from CANU who had checked her bags earlier. She was asked to take a seat by the rank, Dhurjon added.
Not long after, it was related that the woman was taken into a room with two female ranks from the anti-narcotics agency and was told they needed to do a thorough scan.
She was then asked to remove her clothing. After removing her clothes, Adams was reportedly further told that she needed to remove her underwear and “squat and cough because we need to see your abdomen and gut,” her attorney related.
During the course of the request, Dhurjon said, his client protested and questioned why she had to do such. She was informed that it was a part of their procedure. The woman eventually had to undergo an x-ray and had to await clearance to leave the country.
Dhurjon had stated that by suing the state and the anti-narcotics agency, they will be sending a message that CANU does not have the power to demand persons undergo medical examinations beyond reason and humiliate them in the process.
“It would be frightening if we knew the full extent, in most cases people are ashamed to come forward,” he had said.
