Cocaine processing occurring in Guyana -Gajraj tells precursor chemicals seminar By Desiree Jodah Stabroek News August 15, 2000 Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj says there are cocaine processing laboratories in Guyana. He was addressing participants at a 10-day workshop on Precursor Chemicals and Risk Profiling yesterday. It had been suspected for several years now that clandestine cocaine purifying labs were operating in remote parts of Guyana but this was the first time it has been confirmed publicly by a minister of government. Previously Guyana was rated as only a marijuana producer and the presence of labs would signal an escalation in the narcotics trade here. Just a week ago, Commissioner of Customs and Trade Administration Lambert Marks speaking at the opening of an airport security workshop, said there was a cocaine processing laboratory in the New River triangle area in south east Guyana. Gajraj, delivering the feature address at the opening of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit-coordinated workshop, said there are "clandestine" laboratories but he did not elaborate on what was known about them or where they were located. Gajraj was at the time speaking about the 1999 amendment of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act which dealt specifically with precursor chemicals, saying that it was important that these substances which are used in the manufacturing and mining industries are not diverted to any illicit use by clandestine laboratories. According to the minister, an expert attached to the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), in an assessment of the present status of precursor chemicals control, stated that police were aware that there were shadowy labs here and that Guyana was being used by traffickers as a transshipment point. The expert Rosa Ramirez had also observed that precursor chemicals control would allow the detection of these labs, routes and methods for diverting the substances necessary to manufacture illicit drugs. Gajraj also noted that the Food and Drug Bill, which is currently under "the microscope" in the Chambers of the Attorney General, sought to establish control over certain drugs. Gajraj said he was advised by Coordinator of the programme, CANU head Bernard Truman, that training over the next ten days would include several field exercises that would facilitate exposure to simulated searches. The minister noted that the threat posed by the drug trade is magnified by the utilisation of modern technology by drug traffickers. According to him, interdiction and enforcement agencies are severely challenged in their fight against the drug scourge. He said the training therefore assumes even greater significance and was timely in the campaign to confront drug traders. The minister said the government was poised to accelerate the current and ongoing activities of the anti-drug enforcement agencies, particularly as they relate to maritime interdiction. He said the seminar sought to encourage partnership and cooperation among the various organisations operating in the area and to raise awareness within drug law enforcement agencies and the associated maritime, freight and carrier industries to precursor chemicals. The workshop will create an increased awareness of international trafficking by sea and other means; highlight the need for enhanced security and vigilance at ports and manufacturing establishments to deter traffickers and emphasise the need for proactive liaison and cooperation between the Maritime Industry and Law Enforcement Agencies. Guyana has signalled its commitment to the ratification of hemispheric and international conventions against the production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs and their chemical precursors, according to the minister. The seminar is being coordinated by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, sponsored by the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) and funded in part by the United Nations Drug Control Programme. It is being held at the Police Officers' Mess, Eve Leary. Assisting Truman in the coordination is Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Trim. According to the CANU head, CCLEC recognised the urgent need for appropriate training to combat the illicit drug trade. He said Guyana's selection to conduct the seminar/workshop was in appreciation of its role in the regional effort in the fight against the illicit drug trade. According to Truman, precursor chemicals are used extensively in Guyana in the manufacture of paints and pharmaceutical products. Because of the potential for the diversion of those chemicals to illicit purposes and the limited resources to combat it, the seminar/workshop was very welcome. He said the training would equip CANU, the police and the other agencies with the knowledge to organise their response. The seminar/workshop is being led by Henk Huisman, a consultant with the UNDCP. Participants are drawn from CANU, Customs & Trade Administration, the GPF, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Government Analyst, Food and Drugs Department and the Guyana Defence Force. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today