–Minister Rohee to solicit relevant information from US authorities
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday confirmed that he has instructed Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee to write the United States authorities seeking any information they have which confirms that there are players within Guyana who are connected to the drug ring which was dented in the United States and Italy earlier this week.The President also confirmed that the letter he instructed the minister to dispatch should state very clearly that Guyana stands ready to offer its full cooperation with the international law enforcement agencies in bringing the local players to justice. That letter should, moreover, declare that Guyana must not, and will not, be a safe haven for such types of criminals.

Addressing newly promoted ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, heads of the disciplined forces, members of the diplomatic corps, and other influential persons in society, the President yesterday used the latest development to draw the nexus between the importance of the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT) in the National Assembly.

He said the achievement that is being sought globally is for there to be a kind of cooperation among countries of the world to create a common legislation that would make it difficult for terrorists, drug smugglers and human traffickers to carry out their activities.

In alerting the GDF that they also need to play a role in the domestic security of the nation, President Ramotar pointed to the many cases in countries abroad where drug traffickers and kingpins have been waging war on law enforcement agencies.

He stressed the need for the army to be ready at all times to provide support to the law enforcement agencies here.

President Ramotar said it is because of actions such as the latest one that the international community stands ready to level sanctions against any country which fails to set its legislative framework to hamper the work of those involved in the drug underworld, and against money laundering among other serious crimes.

With the Organization of American States, CARICOM and other international bodies backing the passage of the legislation, the President again made a pitch to the opposition to support the bill forthwith in the National Assembly, in the interest of the welfare of the people and of national security.

Yesterday morning, at a separate engagement, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told media operatives that he is yet to place a call to the relevant authorities investigating the drug ring which was penetrated. Further, he has not received a report in this regard from the countries involved in the bust.

Minister Rohee told the media that he is waiting on the law enforcement agencies to provide him with the report, but that he was, and always is, happy whenever large amounts of cocaine are seized in any part of the world, since it is consistent with the fight against drug trafficking.

Rohee said that Guyana is happy to be part of the law enforcement exercise, since scores such as the one earlier this week are always welcomed.

He ended by stating that whatever information the international law enforcement agencies have and can make available to Guyana would be very helpful, because if there are links to Guyana, moves would be made to have those connections dismantled in the context of international Cooperation.
Written By Leroy Smith