President’s response to nacro-trade weak & disturbing – Granger

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

At a press conference today [Friday, August 22], APNU’s Leader, David Granger challenged the President to lead the fight against this trade from the front, while describing Ramotar’s response to the recent discovery of the self-propelled semi- submersible in the Waini River as “disturbing and weak.”

“He must become personally involved in directing the war on illegal narcotics which, apparently, are now being exported on an ‘industrial scale,” Granger said.
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit had said it is suspected that the vessel was slated to be used in the drug trade and was already fitted with a diesel engine and steering wheel, navigation and other machinery.

The operation also found a camp consisting of three structures – accommodation, workshop area and generator. The accommodation had the capacity to sleep approximately 12 persons, there was also a kitchen area located within the accommodation.

Local law enforcement as well as foreign anti- narcotics experts strongly believe that the semi- submersible vessel was built by a known Colombian drug cartel with links throughout South America.

Mr. Granger lobbied again on behalf of the security sector for additional resources to be invested to boost the sector’s performance to deal with the sophisticated technology that is being used to transport drugs in and out of the country.

“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has failed to curb trafficking in illegal narcotics”.

The Party restated its lack of confidence in Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and has emphasized that he should not be allowed to deal with this matter since he has failed to do s in the past.

Meanwhile, APNU’s Shadow Home Affairs Minister and Former Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix believes more can be done as he explained that Government continues to refuse to invest adequately in the security sector.

When asked why “drug lords” were not captured under his tenure as Police Commissioner, Felix cited lack of resources as the main reason.

He said a number of recommendations were made to boost the Force’s capacity at that time, which includes a witness protection programme among other ways of getting persons to cooperate with the Force to fight the drug trade.