Responding to allegations…
MINISTER of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee said Monday that, regarding the Roger Khan issue, a number of wild and unsubstantiated allegations have been made by sections of the media and some political elements, suggesting that the Government is not doing enough to fight drugs.

But he told a press conference: “This is far from the truth. We have been investing significant sums of money in our anti-narcotic thrust.”

Rohee said the Government had made it clear that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is the agency legally responsible for investigating any allegation made against Khan or any other person or persons.

“We still maintain that position. We are committed to pursuing anyone engaged in any criminal activity, including drug trafficking and money laundering,” he maintained.

Rohee explained that, under the Organisation of American States (OAS) Treaty, the United States (U.S.) Government has been asked and is committed to providing information on the allegations made against the convicted drug trafficker Khan.

“Those who claim that they have information should reveal this to the Police, who will take appropriate action,” he added.

About a recent U.S. report, Rohee said, in keeping with their propensity to sensationalise issues just for the sake of profit, sections of the media, in their subtle writings and in some cases open and unresearched pronouncements, have been giving gullible readers the impression that Guyana is a major trans-shipment point for drugs.

However, he said reports from a local intelligence analyst and international organisations do not reveal such a situation.

In fact, the annual U.S. State Department Report on Major Drug Transit and Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries, does not list Guyana as one nor did a recent meeting in Venezuela.

“I do not know where those media operatives get their facts from. Perhaps they may have access to documents that are only available to them,” he stated.

Rohee declared that no country is immune from drug trafficking and pointed out that each has its own difficulties in confronting the trade.

“We have relatively vast land borders and an extensive coast to police. Additionally, we have a huge forested territory to monitor with limited resources. Further, we are not only required to engage in supply reduction activities to fight drugs.

“We have to adopt a balanced approach to the problem. This would require us to invest vast resources also in demand reduction activities,” Rohee posited, adding that “excessive consumption of drugs by our citizens could result in a reduction of the country’s productive capacity and an increase in social problems.”

He said the previously announced Drug Strategy Master Plan takes cognisance of the need for demand reduction strategies to be implemented to reduce the consumption of drugs.

Acknowledging the importance of cooperation with immediate neighbours and support of local communities in border regions, Rohee said it cannot be denied that those are critical to efforts at prevention of drugs smuggling into this country.

He said: “Coupled with those factors, we have to continue to increase the capacity of our law enforcement agencies to enable them to effectively counter the drug trade.”