The problem of cross border smuggling is having debilitating effects on many countries across the globe, and its adverse impact is particularly felt by developing countries which have limited resources to counter this illegal activity.
Smuggling results in tremendous loss of revenue to governments, creates unfair competition to local manufacturers and of course it is a major vehicle for the movement of illegal drugs and small arms, thus significantly contributing to violent crimes.
Countries with large porous borders, like Guyana, are finding it increasingly difficult to curb this scourge as the smugglers are increasingly devising new and innovative methods to escape the net. And their work is also bolstered by having the “right connections” with the relevant authorities. In fact, even advanced countries with their advanced technology and adequate human and financial resources are finding it a tough task to cope with the smugglers.
Jonathan Winer in his article “Superpower Needs Friends” points out:
“The dark side of globalisation takes advantage of the same infrastructure for the movement of goods, people, funds, and information as do licit goods, people, funds and information. Governments have been bound by notions of sovereignty that stopped at the physical border of the country. This left no one responsible for regulating cross-border activity, or enforcing legal regimes applying to cross-border activity. There is agrowing panoply of international initiatives targeting terrorism, international crime, drug trafficking, intellectual property theft, smuggling of people, and kleptocratic corruption. These include embargoes, certification programs, disclosure regimes, anti-corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering or terrorist standards, private sector “seal” initiatives, and name and shame exercises. These initiatives, while helpful, have yet to address three simultaneous constraints on effective governance to deal with trans border threats to physical, political, and economic security.”
He adds: “The first constraint is that of capacity: few governments have any capacity beyond their borders, diplomats and intelligence agencies. Capacity limitations exist at both the national and international level. Many national regulatory and law enforcement agencies deal poorly with money laundering and the smuggling of goods that are clearly illicit, such as narcotics. International organizations responsible for developing harmonized standards to combat such smuggling have tiny secretariats and limited resources. Regional law enforcement agencies remain in their infancy. Many natural resources abused in connection with conflict, including oil and gas, timber, coltan and tanzanite, are not subject to internationally agreed upon standards. Technologies that the U.S. considers to be munitions or dual-use items requiring license are routinely bought and sold by other countries in full compliance with their own domestic laws.”
The Council on Foreign Relations notes that “Reforming border controls so as to achieve the optimal balance between policing and facilitating the transnational movements of people and goods is one of the most important priorities for the Caribbean region at the dawn of the new century. The prevalence of understaffing, lack of automation, insufficient salaries and training, and high levels of discretionary authority exercised by border control agents are fueling a rise in the incidence of customs and immigration violations, corruption, and weapons and drugs smuggling. This is bad news for governments who are deprived of lawful duties and fees while simultaneously facing the pressure to expend limited public resources on combating gangs and organized criminals. This is also bad news for the legitimate importers and exporters whose competitiveness is compromised by the delays, spoilage, wreckage, and thefts taking place in ports of entry. The result is a downward spiral of shrinking foreign investment and capital flight, declining public revenues and weakened social safety nets, rising unemployment, and more crime and corruption that further discourages investment. In short, absent change to the current practices for conducting regulatory, enforcement, and security measures within ports of entry and along national frontiers, the Caribbean region’s capacity to prosper in the global economy is in jeopardy.”
Against this background the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to work collaboratively with its Surinamese counterpart is a step in the right direction because our eastern border is one of the major locations where massive smuggling and illegal trade are taking place.
However, according GRA’s Commisioner Mr. Khurshid Sattaur in order for the work of the divisions to be a success the jurisdiction of the Corentyne River has to be addressed, since there appears to be some amount of controversy over the territorial rights.
He also pointed out that as a result of the territorial dispute the GRA is unable to pursue smugglers into the river observing that many smugglers are aware of this territorial issue and are now moving to different locations to land smuggled goods.
Indeed, the territorial issue is an important one but it is a delicate matter that needs to be appropriately addressed and brought to resolution as soon as possible.
The GRA must be commended though for moving to curb smuggling on our eastern border which is robbing our country of vital revenue and at the same time providing massive fodder for all types of criminal activities.