Georgetown: Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy here in Guyana, Bryan Hunt has expressed optimism that with the help of the US Government, the drug network connected to this country will be dismantled and disrupted in the not so distant future.
Hunt, who was at the time addressing invitees at the 239th Independence Anniversary of the United States of America at the Marriott Hotel Guyana, said that the two governments will be able to achieve such a goal with the revitalised security and counter narcotics relationship already beginning to yield results.
“Guyana’s law enforcement agencies have already made significant seizures in the last year, not the least of which was finding the self-propelled semi submersible in the interior and putting that shipyard out of business,” Hunt said. He noted that the cocaine seizures at the Cheddi Jagan Airport and others port have continued to increase as information sharing and law enforcement collaboration between the two governments have grown. “I am confident that despite criticisms of skeptics, expanded cooperation between the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Guyanese Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and Serious Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) will disrupt and ultimately dismantle the drug flow through Guyana.,” the Charge d’ Affaires said.
To this end, the Charge d’ Affaires noted that the recent passage of the Anti Money Laundering and the Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill was crucial.
Border controversy
Meanwhile, Hunt also used the occasion to assure Acting President Moses Nagamootoo that Washington is committed to extending its support in the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. “We stand with the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil as they work together to extract natural resources in a responsible manner that protects the environment,” he said. The US diplomat further added that the US government was pleased with the success of the USAID partnership with the country on the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment (SKYE) programme which is aimed at training and education at risk youth in life and work skills that have been identified as critical by public and private sector employers in Guyana, in an effort to reduce youth crime and violence.
“Our mutually beneficial goal is to reduce youth crime and violence by developing enhanced skills and increased economic opportunities. Under the programme’s thrust to deter and reduce youth involvement in crime and violence, working with the Magistracy and the probation department of the Ministry of Social Protection, more than 70 youth have received alternative sentences, were diverted from incarceration and began receiving support to reform their lives…over 1600 youth have been mentored and provided with life and work skills training and in excess of 650 youths have been linked to long term employment,” the diplomat expressed. Most recently, the programme also began providing reintegration support to 40 individuals who received pardons from President David Granger on the celebration of the country’s 49th Independence Anniversary.
Meanwhile, Nagamootoo, who is performing duties as President in the absence of President David Granger, who is currently attending the 36th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Barbados, expressed thanks to the Charge d’ Affaires for the support which has been extended to the people and the government of Guyana.
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