Deputy Commissioner of Police (ag) Winston Felix says the force needs resources to develop its land, air and marine capabilities to combat the smuggling of guns and narcotics into the country.

Felix, who told the Disciplined Forces Commission that gun-running and drug- trafficking are among the main criminal threats facing the country, said more re-sources are needed to lay the foundation for preventative policing.

“How would you describe the state of readiness of the Guyana Police Force to cope with the threats?” Commissioner David Granger asked Felix who resumed his testimony yesterday.

“...in relation to these areas, we have roadblocks...”

“They are already in [the country] when you are talking about roadblocks,” Granger interrupted.

“...raids in areas where we suspect there are groupings of criminals and criminal activity. These are what we have to do because we are lacking the resources to fight these things... Right now we are fairly effective on land but we need the air capability and sea capability.”

Felix told the commission that drug-trafficking is a serious problem that has also given rise to other criminal threats like kidnapping and armed robberies in which firearms are used.

“Are most of the guns used in these crimes illegal?”

“Yes.”

“Where do you think they’re coming from?” asked Granger.

“They come from criminal elements traversing the borders between Suriname, Cayenne (French Guiana) and Venezuela.”

He said the police force has found it difficult to patrol these border areas, which fall under the force’s E & F divisions.

“...we need to see how we can organise these divisions. I am not sure but we need some time to look at it and gain a better appreciation of the situation before we can start addressing changes.”

“Is it possible that a failure to change could permit criminal activities?” Granger asked.

“...it is not an unwillingness or a failure to change...” Felix said, “...effective law enforcement has a high cost. Nationally, there are priorities. I can’t say what is number one or number five. But we have been making these points all the time.”

Felix said the lack of resources and equipment has also restricted preventative policing.

“A lot of the arrests made, were made at the airport. There seems to be a concentration of efforts at the airport, the results have shown up there. You have had more success there than at the borders,” Commission Chairman Justice of Appeal Ian Chang said to Felix.

“To the best of my knowledge, yes.”

“Guyana is said to be an in-transit point for drug-trafficking. Aren’t we focusing on exportation in contra-distinction with importation?”

“What we are finding is that there are other aspects to it. Several factors that are beyond our control, like the air, sea and land... the points you are making are recognised but... the equipment, the resources and the personnel are not there,” Felix said.

The commission has been set up by the National Assembly to investigate the operations of the disciplined forces, which is made up of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service. It is to present the Assembly with an interim report of its findings and recommendations for the police force by November 18.

Justice Chang, former National Security Advisor Brigadier (rtd) Granger, former Attorney-General Charles Ramson S.C, attorney Anil Nandlall and Irish human rights activist Maggie Beirne make up the commission.