Cooperation is the way forward

Three days after police from the Southern Division and the Transnational Organised Crime Unit netted an estimated $40 million in cocaine at a house in South Oropouche, Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon has highlighted several strategies aimed at tackling the drug trade between this country and South America.

Dillon outlined the measures on Tuesday while speaking at the launch of a two-day workshop on the World Drug Problem in a local context at the Police Training Academy in St James.

He said while this country remains challenged by porous maritime boundaries, he was satisfied with Saturday’s seizure, and praised police for their work.

He said the operation’s success marked several weeks worth of investigative work and co-operation among different arms of law enforcement. “It was done based on a lot of investigation and the combined agencies coming together to treat with the issues and that is the way forward, utilising all agencies to treat with the issues of crime and drugs,” Dillon said.

“In terms of the Coast Guard being well equipped, there is always room for improvement. There is always technology available on the outside that we can utilise. So I would say that what we are looking for ways to improve their performance effectively, whenever the technology arise.”

Dillon said in recent times, effectively securing maritime boundaries to prevent against the shipment of illicit contraband has become increasingly difficult and co-operation between local and international partner agencies was paramount to the success of any counter-narcotics initiative, citing closer ties between TT and Venezuelan security officials.

“We have re-established bilateral ties to treat with issues coming across our borders from Venezuela and that is going quite well we now have direct contact with the commanding officer of the Venezuelan coast guard and the Trinidad Coast Guard. They talk on a daily basis.”

Asked what was being done to reinforce security at ports until scanners are installed in December, Dillon said increased manpower at terminals was being considered and expressed optimism that the scanners would prove useful in government’s effort to crack down on illegal narcotics.

“Its something that we’ve been asking for a while and I think it’s only now coming to fruition.

“There were some issues with respect to Customs, but that has been resolved and will add some value to us. In the meantime we will use what we call the human element, in terms of searches and so on.”