THE critical importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the private sector in addressing trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, and the illicit trade of goods such as alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, gold, and poultry has been emphasised by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn.
The minister made these remarks on Wednesday while delivering the feature address at the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC’s) Illicit Trade Seminar that was held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
He pointed out that illegal activities are becoming increasingly sophisticated, presenting new challenges for both local authorities and international partners.

Benn spoke at length about the deep-rooted issues of criminality that have disrupted many aspects of social and economic life, especially in unregulated areas.

He highlighted the growing threat posed by transnational organised crime, such as drug trafficking and human trafficking, which have not only destabilised communities but also eroded the integrity of state governance.
“We are in an era of what is now called transnational organised crimes [and] we have new challenges. We talk about the drugs, we talk about the trafficking in persons, we talk about smuggling whether it is chicken or mercury…We have to work hard at the level of government itself to make government work…” Minister Benn said to the gathering.

Benn’s comments also focused on the challenges faced by communities in remote areas, where government presence is limited. He stressed the need for better regulation and development in these regions to improve the quality of life and reduce the vulnerability of residents to crime.
The minister emphasised that solving the country’s societal challenges requires better integration between government agencies, the private sector, and community organisations.
He urged stakeholders to invest in the country’s long-term development and to prioritise sustainable solutions that address the root causes of crime and dysfunction.
In his speech, Benn highlighted the significant financial losses the government suffers because of illegal activities, pointing to smuggling and tax evasion as key factors.

He said, “The revenue loss, in totality to the government, is large. But we have to have a full appreciation of the losses. How will we improve? What are the ways to the improvements in relation to this difficulty? We have to identify why this is a critical issue for our country.” As such, he called for a comprehensive assessment of these losses and the development of strategies to address the issue.
“This [the seminar] for me is a significant opportunity for partnership and the sharing of information. That we point out the areas and we speak with those in law enforcement, some of whom may know who are the usual players in smuggling. That we get to them, that we deal with them. That if they don’t change their ways, they will have to be at the right place [in prison].”

The Home Affairs Minister concluded by welcoming the opportunity for greater partnership and collaboration among various stakeholders to address the country’s growing societal and criminal challenges. He encouraged leaders in both the public and private sectors to commit to long-term efforts to

reform the country’s regulatory frameworks and cultural practices.
The minister also placed significant emphasis on the importance of education and training in addressing crime and improving society. “We can make a difference [through] more co-operation, more consultation, wider education on the consequences of this practice.”
Chairman of the PSC, Komal Singh, spoke about the impact of smuggling on businesses and the efforts to combat it through collaboration between the private sector and government agencies.
He highlighted the significant financial losses due to smuggling and the need for immediate measures to stop it. He said the PSC has formed a task force to gather and share intelligence on illicit trade with enforcement agencies. This collaboration, he noted, aims to enhance the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and protect businesses from market share erosion.

“Today is the beginning of a long road ahead of us that we all need to work to drive to make positive change in the industry. Smuggling cannot continue and collectively, we need to put our heads together to make sure that we find all possible measures and means to make sure we can curb smuggling. The Private Sector Commission stands ready to work with the private sector at large to make sure than we can develop means and measures to help curb smuggling to make sure our treasury and businesses are put in a position where they can be competitive without worrying that smugglers are taking huge market shares…,” Singh added.

In July, the PSC announced that it had established an Illicit Trade Desk (Desk) to address issues related to unfair trading practices, smuggling, uncustomed goods, and counterfeit products.
The desk is housed at the Commission’s headquarters on Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

It is open to any member of the public, and complaints can be made in person, by telephone, or by sending an email to the Commission. Once complaints are received, the Commission will forward them to the relevant law enforcement agencies for action.
Persons with information or complaints related to activities they suspect to be illicit trade can contact the Commission via email office@psc.org.gy or on telephone number 225-5347.