THE DISCOVERY last Thursday by vigilant local anti-narcotics authorities of a sophisticated vessel associated with drug trafficking is expected to hasten arrangements for the proposed establishment in Guyana of an operational office by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Both President Donald Ramotar and the US Embassy in Georgetown have separately expressed interest in the seizure of the vessel in a creek off the Waini River.
Further, the President took the opportunity on Friday to reaffirm his Government’s interest for the opening of the DEA’s office in this country. It is a project in which Guyana has long demonstrated its interest. Now it seems set to become a reality soon to judge from recent positive US responses.
Narco-trafficking and gun-related crimes have long plagued member countries of our Caribbean Community. And it is evident that with the Caribbean Sea and air space being used for ferrying illegal drugs, like cocaine and marijuana, to major consuming destinations such as the USA and Europe, mutual cooperation is absolutely essential to significantly arrest the spreading problems.
Members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force did well in the discovery and seizure of the vessel that revealed features associated with a submarine. Its capture is further proof of the sophisticated approaches being pursued by narco-traffickers and gun-smugglers to profit from their daring criminal pursuits that add to the skyrocketing murder rates.
In the circumstances, the recent disclosure of President Barack Obama’s approval for the establishment of the proposed DEA office in Guyana assumes a new significance and the hope is that this project could become a reality within the next two months.