Scrutiny of luggage at the Timehri airport is being boosted with the acquisition of several pieces of x-ray equipment valued at some US$175,855 to which Cabinet gave its 'no objection' at its Tuesday meeting.
The scanning equipment will complement other measures already in place, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said at his press briefing yesterday.
The announcement follows the smashing of a drug smuggling ring at JFK airport, NY where baggage handlers diverted cocaine shipments in luggage and cargo from Guyana and Jamaica.
There are currently three levels of security at the airport, the Customs Anti- Narcotic Unit (CANU), the police narcotics division and private security hired by the airlines.
This will be supplemented shortly by the installation of surveillance cameras at strategic areas at the airport including the loading, arrival and departure sections along with all ports of entry, Luncheon said.
Luncheon, while noting the expense associated with providing the additional security, recognised its necessity especially as a means of stemming narco-trafficking.