Fronts for the coke -Honest business no more?
Frankly Speaking
By A.A. Fenty
Stabroek News
May 7, 2004
Here's another promise from me not to touch this issue again for quite a few weeks after this offering. For I have already explored, with consistent repetition, the issues of cocaine trafficking permeating every strata and segment of our society and the probability of its significant role in bolstering an economy "in a coma", to quote "Indian Rights" Activist Mr. Ravi Dev.
But the indictments and revelations by the Immigra-tion, Customs and Drug Enforcement Agency of the USA easily influenced me to go on again about particular aspects of the Drug Busts and the arrest of Guyanese. The evidence from the investigations which began in 2002 reads like a script for one of those well-known "detective movies" about crime busting with a modern narco-trafficking plot.
My layman's instincts for the DEA's method of years-long surveillance and entrapment of suspects - using technology and canary-type informers - suggest one basic assumption: that the American authorities had intelligence, over the years, with regard to origin of the cocaine, its arrival in Georgetown or elsewhere in porous Guyana, how certain couriers were recruited, the creative ways of exporting the coke to the mighty market in the US - and the names whereabouts and operations of the Guyanese medium and big fish! So why have they moved (only) now?
Simply because they have gathered enough evidence, witnesses and everything else required to make guilty-friendly cases. All they need now are the extraditions from Guyana to their jurisdiction to complete this little battle on their war against drugs and narco-trafficking. Incidentally, I wonder, occasionally, how well America's efforts to educate its youth against drug use so to minimise its market (appeal) are paying dividends? The lucrative market seems to be ever-present, beckoning to the wicked of the world.
Repeating my dilemmas Or my concerns and regrets. Bear with me again. You know my position: the new emerging morality sends sympathies for the successful noveau riche crooks who profit from coke. So the contradiction of honest God-fearing parents making thrifty purchases from businesses owned by cocaine crooks, then seeking to upbraid errant offspring, speaks to our changing times and values. (Mind you, even I must be unknowingly supporting cocaine-related individuals and companies.
And that's one of my major obsessions these days. Are there no honest, legitimate business enterprises in Guyana anymore? Look at the fake fronts, the laundries for dirty money in Queens, New York amongst some Indo-Guyanese. Man, our Guyanese suspects over the years, have caused the US anti-drugs establishment to throw so many agencies and arms into the fight: the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Treasury Enforcement Com-munications Systems (TECS), I tell you, when Guyanese get ready, their brains challenge the best. But the consequences of their crookedness are so negative for the rest of us.
Back to my quandary: is every (new) successful commercial venture here tainted? However indirectly? Can't be? There are still honest, hard-working citizens in business? OK, that's nice to know. I won't now view every restaurant, store, supermarket, auto spares outlet (there are so many of these), travel agency, cambio, NGO, barbershop, political fundraiser, etc, as an appendage to or front for some money-laundering, cocaine-related cartel. No sirree!
I won't even give any credence to a short story told to me by an Islander who swears that on his popular island a church-going cocaine-rich family built a whole new church, which they dutifully attend and support! Along with their expert attorneys and laundering accountants! The Islander was even elaborating on the fact that some of his Island's sports administrators filter coke funds to and through thankful sports organisations. But I cut him off. It was all too much and we don't have those goings-on here! (?)
I now hate holidays! Well not hate, but really put off and derailed. Like "beauty" pageants affect me, I suppose. As usual, I won't enter the lively (or raging?) debate at this time. Just to tell you the effects on this patriot who has remained here for sixty years.
I suppose I'll be told it's the growing pains of a nation defining its identity, tradition and ultimately, its legacy - if not heritage. But the debate, to me, has helped to emphasise division; it has missed the point as to what holidays are really for.
To me, it made people claim to be honouring their origins, the homes of which hardly care for them.
I had always suspected Mr Burnham's real motives for recognising these religious/ holy days by having the entire nation stay away from work. Lofty you think? I have a high regard for people's religion but why force me to observe Youman Nabi, Easter Monday or Diwali? Funny, even I once applauded - like so many others still do - Mr. Burnham's wily holiday moves. Now comes some Committee disrupting my daily rhythm.
I suppose, as they do in the USA, it's for me to use the national holidays as productively as possible.
Just consider..... 1) Doodnauth directs: Attorney-General Singh has advised the Americans - to get the suspects over and into their jurisdiction (1) go through the Foreign Ministry to the Home Affairs, then through our capable courts and then perhaps.
Meanwhile as the suspects slip away under the (intelligence) gaze of the Americans, the USA might just become upset with our system. How will they react?
2) Bravo to the consistent tenacity of Stabroek News for features on the drugs busts in NY. Just like its "series" on the death squad Phantoms and Mr. Gajraj. Long live Stabroek! Long Live Enrico!
3) Poor Bush. The scandal over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners of war will diminish, - even erase, the atrocities of Saddam and how his sympathisers treat captives. Different standards for the civilised Americans, naturally.
4) How is the NCN post merger arrangement coming along?
5) Cricket lovely cricket? Will Brian Lara ever be judged LBW? Will he break his test record against Bangladesh? Are they just to provide batting, bowling and fielding practice?
Who's lining up for the cricket stadium jobs, now that they are better prepared? Won't the PNC and ACDA form companies and bid?
6) I'm forced to research curry! Len told me curry power was first used in South India to cover up the smell and taste of tainted meat!! Yuk!!
'Til next week!