Georgetown: The agencies of the National Task Force on smuggling signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the use of the Guyana
Defence Force (GDF) Floating Patrol Base, which is located in the mouth of the Pomeroon River.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Assistant Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud at the ministry’s boardroom, Brickdam.
It was signed by Guyana Police Force (GPF) Commissioner Leroy Brumell; GDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff, Colonel Kemraj Persaud; Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) head James Singh; Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur and Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) head, Mahender Sharma.
The floating patrol base will be under the command and control of the GDF. It is now mandated with detecting the smuggling and trafficking of drugs, firearms, and other contraband items, with each agency being given specific tasks.
Before the signing, Rohee pointed out that the task force contributes significantly to the strengthening of the collaboration and cooperation among the member agencies. He added that this would also allow for enhanced joint operations among the agencies.
“It is important to note that these departments have all signed on to a collective Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which will guide and inform them with respect to their individual and collective activities,” he stated. The minister said the floating base is placed strategically in an area that is frequented by smugglers and traffickers.
National security
Rohee further disclosed that within the next few months, the GPF will be setting up identical floating bases at strategic points along the country’s waterways to curb criminal activities.
In closing, he reminded the agency heads that they have to work together cohesively to counter smuggling of drugs, firearms and other contraband.
In his remarks, the deputy army head said the MoU is a step closer to the operationalisation of interagency coordination, which is intended to provide resources and appropriate responses to matters of national security, as well as internal peace and stability, while contributing to national wealth.
“Heartened, because we recognised that other major participants are joined in unity for this national call and are willing to sacrifice and make their respective contribution in making, in a very small way, Guyana safe and secure. I am reminded that you don’t have to serve in the military to be identified with issues of national security,” Colonel Persaud stressed.
He went on to say that the other member agencies will now be reassured of the coast guard’s responsibility to police the waterways in an effort to overcome the challenges presented by those intending to “flout the laws in their convenience”.
The deputy GDF chief-of-staff noted that he was ready and willing to support the minister’s vision with respect to interagency cooperation, adding that it is the way to respond to common threats.
Meanwhile, former Chief-of-Staff Michael Atherly noted that the five agencies through the MoU will further join forces to prevent, detect, suppress, investigate, and prosecute criminal activities and violations of the law which include, but are not limited to, fuel smuggling and trafficking of contraband.
“This can certainly assist with removing the tools of crime from criminal gangs, as well as depriving wrongdoers of the potential proceeds of their crimes. We must send a powerful message to smugglers, pirates, and alike across the length and breadth across Guyana,” Atherly stated.
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