TODAY, the Regional Security System (RSS) Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) goes into operation. This unit, located in Barbados, has taken over from and will continue the work of the Caribbean Criminal Assets Recovery Programme (CCARP) in the partnership between the RSS and the United Kingdom to tackle organised crime and corruption.

The ARU aims to continue promoting and strengthening legislation throughout the region to tackle the proceeds of crime. It proposes to lobby for the establishment of a dedicated forfeiture fund to provide additional resources for law-enforcement agencies, for the criminal justice system, for victim compensation, and for community projects keeping youngsters off the streets.

Drug-trafficking and corruption continue to threaten nations’ sovereignty, the security of its people, its quality of governance, and the moral fabric of their societies. Guyanese can identify. We have seen loss and destruction of lives and families through drug use and trafficking, the burden on our prison system, reprisal killings (death and phantom squads), and the taint on government through access to and influence in the corridors of power.

Drugs are negatively impacting and altering the lives of people, more so the younger generation, not only in use, but plying the trade- as mules or suppliers- on the glamourisation of the get-rich-quick syndrome. There is diminished attraction to live within one’s means, work hard, and through dint of sacrifice, acquire. At the same time it cannot be ignored, as a matter of practical recognition, that where there are limited avenues for legitimate employment and economic opportunities,the temptation to pursue illegitimate avenues is real.

Corruption continues to wreak havoc on the economic performance of countries. Outside of it being a human rights violation, it brings in its wake compromised public officials, elected and appointed. This society is not oblivious to stories of officials hiving off state properties for personal use, while in some cases granting favours to persons in conflict with the law.

Corruption impacts various strata of government. For instance, members of the Police Force, whose institution is responsible for serving and protecting, not acting in accordance with. This can see efforts to shield those engaged in illicit activities by not investigating and charging those accused, and during court hearings either compromising the required quality of investigation and prosecution of cases.

Grantley Watson, Executive Director of the RSS, has noted the region being negatively impacted by violence from drug-trafficking and the ARU will help countries confiscate criminals’ assets, reducing their influence and power. It is no secret that Guyana can do well with such support, given the sprawling assets of the nefarious. A case that readily comes to mind is convicted druglord Roger Khan, where decisions by the state regarding his assets are yet to definitively be made.

On the other hand, some countries may have laws to confiscate properties illegally acquired, but the paucity of skills to investigate and identify sources of funding hinder justifying a case in the courts for confiscation. Similarly, where politicians and public officers enter office dirt poor and within short periods of time amass wealth beyond their earnings, in the absence of requisite skills and funding to follow the lead and identify the source, culprits walk free and flaunt their ill-gotten gains.

Where laws such as the Integrity Act are not being enforced and the Integrity Commission absent, with Guyana being a member of the RSS-as it was with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)-it is only a matter of time before pressure will be brought to bear to observe and strengthen our laws. With ill-gotten gains persons of like minds and behaviours are establishing regional and international networks to undermine governments through various forms. Some use religion, poverty, business, politics, and other avenues that have mass appeal to create influence and ensure protection. As these networks take root, governments have a responsibility to society to put systems in place to stem and arrest the problem and make criminal activities a dis-incentive.

The global partnership in the fight against organised crime and corruption can be understood through the desire of right-thing members of society and responsible governments to rid the environment of these scourges that threaten man’s security and societal development. The RSS would be counting on Guyana and Guyanese in making the ARU efficient and effective.