The United States, through the Department of State’s office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), kicked off a six-month programme yesterday to strengthen Guyanese port security and container control.
A release from the US Embassy yesterday said that the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Container Control Program, in partnership with the World Customs Organization, is implementing the programme. It is aimed at weakening transnational criminal organizations and deterring the trafficking of illicit goods.
Officials from the World Customs Organization inaugurated the programme with a two-week virtual training course for members of Port Control Units, composed of members of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, the Maritime Administration Department and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, providing them with training in profiling, targeting, and inspecting containers. This training will enable them to effectively detect suspicious and illicit goods, and ensure that goods departing Guyana have been properly declared and duties paid.
The programme is part of the ongoing commitment by the United States to the security of Guyana and the region, the release said.
In his remarks at the opening of the programme, GRA’s Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia said that “as Guyana becomes the regional leader in transshipment services through its increased construction of deep-water port facilities, the challenges faced with illicit trade, crime, and security are expected to increase. We therefore need to ensure that we are prepared to meet these challenges and ensure compliance with Guyanese and international laws. Consequently, there is a greater need for our officers to be more trained, prepared and vigilant, as criminal elements seeking to ply their trade increase their activities through Guyana’s ports”.
According to a press release from the GRA, he added “This multi-agency approach, as can be seen from the representation at this forum, is therefore necessary as our local enforcement Agencies improve our efforts to stem the tide of these illicit and criminal activities”.
