Police top brass pledges to eradicate drug houses

ASSISTANT Commissioner (Administration) Balram Persaud, on Tuesday, promised residents of Upper Corentyne, Berbice, that, notwithstanding the time it may take, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will bring down all the drug houses in that Division.He added that the first order of business would be those in the Sub-Division Two of the Police ‘B’ Division.
Persaud gave the undertaking while on an outreach with Commissioner Leroy Brumell, after residents charged that ranks of the Number 51 Police Station were involved in criminal activities.

The Assistant Commissioner pointed out that just as the ‘Buxton Five’ and the ‘Fine Man’ gang were able to reign for a period and finally brought to their knees by the GPF, so, too, will all the drug lords and houses in the Berbice Division crumble.
He declared that the Force will, at anytime, any place and with all lawful means necessary, fight drug dealers and invade their space.
However, the process could be hurtful for some of the very persons who are calling for the removal and eradication of the drug lords and their operational sanctuaries, since they might have relatives who benefit from or work along with the pushers.
Against that backdrop, Persaud challenged the residents to come forward and give the police evidence and cooperate with them on this issue while urging them to understand the damage to their families, should drug dealers and sanctuaries continue to have a presence in their communities.

Disgusting trend
One resident told the police that it continues to be a disgusting trend and sight of teenagers and young men appearing in court with drug offences while the bigger fishes go untouched, recruit more youngsters and continue to ply their trade without fear of the law.
The person even went as far as to suggest that the drug lords and dealers have very close association with many law enforcement officers in whatever area they operate their illegal business.
Persaud recalled that he once served in the division, as Commander, and at the time when he left, there was a bitter sweet relation between the police and residents.
He vowed that the toes of many will be stepped on during the drug eradication process, including some of those who were present at the Tuesday meeting.
“All the drug houses within the Police Sub-Division Two will be feeling the full brunt of the law,” Persaud reiterated.
He maintained his call for support to the police, pointing out that the children who will be affected, once the campaign begins, are not those of police officers in Georgetown but of the Berbice communities.
Persaud said, should the drug houses not be eradicated, then there will be several negative spinoffs and those include their children, junkies and illegal activities by those persons who have to commit certain acts to sustain their habit or craving. Hence the need for the police to receive the support of the residents and, if that is not achieved, then the residents would only have themselves to blame for the unfortunate incidents during the exercises.
He admitted that the Force is operating at 20 percent less than the total number of ranks required but said that is not preventing it from doing its work and will not allow it to facilitate rogue cops in the system.
The senior police officer disclosed that several ranks across the country are being investigated for various allegations made against them, others are before the courts and some already jailed for their transgressions.
He extended an invitation to young people who are 18 years and older to join the GPF and become members.

(By Leroy Smith)