The US State Department has concluded that Guyana is a prime target for money laundering and drug trafficking given weak laws, corrupt law enforcement and the continuing political stalemate...
News Source: Stabroek News
The State department describes Guyana "as a transshipment point for South American cocaine destined for North America and Europe. There is insufficient evidence, however, that the cocaine entering the US from Guyana is in an amount sufficient to have a significant effect on the U.S. The economic, political, and social conditions in Guyana make it a prime target, however, for narcotics traffickers to expand their illicit activities..."
The report also notes that "...Lack of political co-operation prevented the implementation of needed reforms to the Guyana Police Force (GPF)"
And in one significant section the report states, "Allegations of corruption are widespread, and reach to high levels of government, but continue to go un-investigated. The swearing-in by the GPF of a reputed drug lord and several of his cohorts as special constables raises serious questions about the integrity of the force."
Government distracted by crime
It goes on to say that while the government is "nominally committed to counter-narcotics enforcement, it was distracted in the first half of 2003 by a political stalemate and a critical crime threat, some of which was reportedly linked to drug-trafficking activities."
However the report notes some progress for the year when "the government of Guyana (GOG) established a Financial Intelligence Unit and requested assistance from the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organisation of American States (OAS/CICAD) to revise its national drug strategy. The GOG co-operated with DEA investigations, and GOG law enforcement officers participated in U.S.-funded training. Guyana is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, but needs to pass and implement additional legislation to meet its obligations under the Convention."
It adds that the government continues to "express commitment to counter-narcotics efforts, domestically and internationally. Guyana supported the work of the CARICOM Regional Task Force on Crime and Security. In the spring, at the invitation of the GOG, OAS/CICAD personnel visited Guyana to assist the GOG in the preparation of an updated national drug strategy. By the end of 2003, however, work on the project was still pending GOG action. With material support from the USG, Guyana established a Financial Intelligence Unit in late 2003.
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