Jamaica Gleaner News - Gov't in discussions to set up DEA office - Saturday | December 31, 2005

Jamaica Gleaner News - Gov't in discussions to set up DEA office - Saturday | December 31, 2005: "Gov't in discussions to set up DEA office
published: Saturday | December 31, 2005

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

THE GUYANA government says it is holding discussions with the United States regarding the possibility of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) establishing a presence in the country.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said the government has recognised the important role and ensuing benefits the DEA's presence would have in the fight against the illegal drugs trade in Guyana.

'We are in discussions with the Americans and the American Administration and some small details need to be addressed for us to see that the plans come to fruition,' he told reporters.

'I don't believe it is a great concession that the facilities and skills available in third world and developing countries to deal with the transnational money laundering and narco-trafficking are obviously inadequate and one can then concede some merit in the U.S. Government acting as a sort of international or hemispheric policeman to keep on top of narco trafficking (and) money laundering in the Americas,' Luncheon said.

NO COUNTRY SATISFIED

Luncheon told reporters that none of the countries in the Americas, including Guyana, could state that they were satisfied with the level of national efforts in fighting narco-trafficking and money laundering.

'I don't have a problem in recognising that we need a DEA in Guyana; in fact we need two DEAs (because) it probably would have been even better,' Luncheon said.

'I think if one were to factor in the desire, if one were to put in the need, then they would have probably been here two years ago but we still have to deal with the details and often times the delay lies in the details.

We still have to iron out some issues and hopefully that could be done soon,' Luncheon added.

He said that the DEA's presence in Guyana would enhance the local drug and law enforcement agencies in the committed and combined fight against money launderers and drug traffickers.

EXPLORING IDEA

Guyana and the United States have been exploring the idea of establishing a DEA office here since 1999, as the country became a transshipment point in the narco and money laundering trade.

An International Narcotics Control Strategy Report released by the US Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in the first quarter this year cited Guyana as a major transshipment point for South American cocaine destined for North America, Europe and the Caribbean."