WHEN I heard the news of a Canadian man arrested by the Police Narcotics Branch at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a large quantity of cocaine in his possession on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 I was elated. 

What was more outstanding was that this man was not Guyanese in transit from Trinidad, on his way to Toronto, Canada.
The fact that the airport security team was able to nab this man after he had already passed through screening at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad, is quite remarkable. Congratulations on a job well done.

This most recent incident will help to elevate the confidence of passengers passing through the airport, letting them know that a stringent security team is on duty.

Over the years, I have read about CJIA heightening security checks, enhancing their profiling techniques and improving their intelligence gathering and this most recent drug bust is testimony to that.

As the drug traffickers get wiser, the security team of the airport and all other ports of entry in Guyana are challenged to become even better at what they do. It is most assuring to see that they are stepping up to that challenge.

I have read stories in the newspapers of persons trafficking drugs in eggplants and ochroes, pumpkins, cabbage, star apples, fried rice, rum, cosmetics among others.  This is very worrying to me. It leaves me asking what next?

As these incidents increase, security teams at the airport should begin to look into more innovative ways to better their procedures and detection system.

The security team of CJIA must continue to be shrewd and firm in the execution of their duties in a professional and efficient manner as the country strives to combat this international problem of drug trafficking.
MARVIN BLACKMAN