NATIONAL DRUG REPORT 2011

(TASK FORCE ON NARCOTICS AND ILLICIT WEAPONS) MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY NATIONAL DRUG REPORT 2011

GENERAL A broad analysis of the nature and extent of the drug problem in shows that, marijuana is the only illicit drug that is cultivated locally. Conversely, the repercussions of the trafficking phenomenon seem to be gradually creating a drug consumption problem involving the use of other drugs. The twin factors of easy access to and the common appeal of alcohol and tobacco further exacerbate the challenges associated with substance abuse. Illicit weapons and money laundering crimes are adding to the mix as well.

A recent UNODC study estimated the global drug market at US$ 322 billion. North America and Europe were identified as the largest drug markets, accounting for 44% and 33% respectively1. Even so, the shipment of drugs from Guyana to those major consuming markets seems to have only a relatively minor impact on those markets.

While international markets for cocaine, heroin and cannabis declined or remained stable, the production and abuse of prescription opioid drugs and new synthetic drugs rose, according to the UNODC World Drug Report 2011.

Guyana and sister CARICOM countries at large continue to be exploited for the illegal trans-shipment of cocaine in particular. Drug trafficking is one of the most lucrative activities conducted by organised crime groups from which related economic crimes and money laundering flow naturally. Guyana is affected by the transit of illicit drugs as well as those drugs that find a small but growing market locally.

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration in the Caribbean, “Counter drug successes in the region, coupled with the changing dynamics between and Central American Drug Trafficking Organisations, led traffickers to shift transit routes increasingly towards Central America. While the vast majority of drugs destined for North America and Europe still transit Central America, enforcement action and rising violence there have begun to lure some traffickers back to the Caribbean.”

A self-propelled semi-submersible vessel was found in the Caribbean waters for the first time during 2011. The recognises the threat of drug trafficking to Guyana and are aware that crime

1 Office on Drugs and Crime Estimating illicit financial flows resulting from drug trafficking and other transnational organised crimes Report: October 2011 p.33

1 groups are continuously exploring possible ways to use the country for transit of or as a market for illegal drugs.

The trafficking of illicit drugs alongside legitimate commerce combined with the geographic location of Guyana on the northern shoulder of South America increases the country’s susceptibility to the transhipment of illicit drugs to the foremost consuming markets. It is therefore not surprising that Guyana, like many other countries of the Caribbean, is a trans-shipment point for illicit drugs

The regular air and sea trading routes between and among Guyana and its trading partners are well established and recognised. There are daily airlifts and seaborne shipment along these trading routes which aid the critical transport elements within the distribution system. Moreover payment systems are sufficiently integrated to facilitate transmission of funds to and from where they are required.

Illicit drug markets have reached global dimensions and require control strategies on a comparable scale. In that context, there is a need to better understand these transnational markets and the manner in which they operate.

This report offers a general ’s national drug control situation up to December 2011. It describes the foremost national counter narcotic initiatives and reviews the broad range of drug control policy tools currently used in Guyana to deal with the relevant prevailing public health and public security threats.

DOMESTIC TRENDS The occasional seizures of hashish and ecstasy have occurred during the reporting period. However the transhipment of cocaine, the production and transhipment of cannabis and its sporadic trafficking have trickled down to form a nexus between drugs and violent crimes, especially organised crimes such as gun smuggling, drug related corruption and money laundering activities. Together, such illegal activities represent threats to society. However, those threats are constantly being addressed by law-enforcement and public health agencies. Police reports have revealed that, there were fluctuating flows of cocaine through our seaports and airports. Evidence have also shown a specific trend of criminal activities involving the shipping of cocaine between Guyana and other regional countries Several seizures of cocaine and cannabis were linked to this trend.

2 Official reports during 2011 identified a number of illegal hinterland airstrips that require further investigations to determine whether those airstrips are linked to illicit drugs activities. Trafficking through CJIA involves concealment in luggage, footwear and cargo as well as swallowing by ‘mules’. Smuggling packages of drugs through official mail is also becoming a common practice.

A CICAD report on Drug Use in the Americas 2011points out “…in some countries, the use of inhalants freely available in the open market is higher than marijuana use in the same population.” The same report further states “The use of cocaine has spread throughout almost all of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is no longer a drug solely exported to the north; for instance, about 27% of cocaine consumers in the hemisphere are found in South America.”

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) argues that international concern with “public security” during the past decade has overshadowed other key tenets of drug control policy, including public health and drug demand reduction. Numerous international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) however argue that greater emphasis should be placed on policies that emphasise harm reduction efforts to address and prevent the adverse health and social consequences. Programs to promote treatment, rehabilitation, and social re-integration for drug users, as well as sustainable and comprehensive alternative development projects should also attract greater attention.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Reports arising out of the Thematic Debate of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development conducted in New York on the occasion of the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking revealed the following:

“Transnational organised crime and drug trafficking is of growing concern, and particularly illicit trade’s broad impact on development. Few, if any, countries are exempt. Drug trafficking has particularly severe implications because of the vast illegal profits it generates: an estimated 322 billion dollars a year. In several drug production and transit regions, criminal groups undermine state authority and the rule of law by fuelling corruption,

3 compromising elections, and hurting the legitimate economy. In all cases, criminal influence and money are having a significant impact on the livelihoods and quality of life of citizens, most particularly the poor, women and children.”

A number of international conventions on drug control, and more recently the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and its protocols on human trafficking, migrant smuggling and trafficking of firearms, as well as the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), constitute the key framework for a strategic response. Such instruments call upon State Parties to “take into account the negative effects of organised crime on society in general, in particular on sustainable development,” they also commit parties to respect fundamental human rights in countering organised crime and drug trafficking.

Guyana has recognised that it cannot combat the drug problem alone. Therefore Guyana has been cooperating fully with regional and international efforts aimed at curbing this illicit trade. Guyana has always acted resolutely in dealing with criminals who sell drugs, those who facilitate transhipment, money laundering, and the illicit cultivation of drugs.

Guyana has inter alia, assented to the two international conventions referred to above along with several other drug- related treaties that underpin all the operational work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime including the following:

a. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. b. Convention on Psychotropic Substances. c. Convention against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

The Hemispheric Drug Strategy and its supporting Action Plan of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) are being used as a guide for the development of national counter drug policy including the new National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

4 Guyana has also developed an on-going relation with the CICAD Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM).

During the present Fifth Evaluation Round of the MEM, nine recommendations were assigned to Guyana. Three of those recommendations were fully implemented by the government, while two others are in the process of being implemented. Preparations have already started to allow for Guyana’s participation in the Sixth Evaluation Round of the MEM through utilisation of the recently developed online forum of the Inter-Governmental Working Group (IWG) Virtual Platform.

Progress through bilateral cooperation continues with the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Public Security of Guyana and the Federal Service of the Russian Federation for Narcotics Traffic Control on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors. Additionally Guyana has continued to promote its counter drug bilateral agreements with , , Cuba, Colombia and . The Guyana Venezuela drug Agreement was re-negotiated and revised to meet new challenges. It was initialled by both sides on 9th February 2011. An aide-memoir on supplementary issues was subsequently forward by Guyana for the consideration of Venezuela.

Other international cooperation initiatives maintained or implemented by Guyana that will impact counternarcotic efforts in the region are:

a. Membership of the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) b. Participation in the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBSI) including the Digital Fingerprint Network Agreement and other programmes. c. Implementation of cross border security measures between Guyana and Brazil to deal with the movement of people and goods between Lethem – Bon Fim and close environs. d. UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire completed and forwarded to UNODC. e. Hosting of a high level OAS CICAD team (05-11 March 2011) led by its Executive Secretary Ambassador James Mack. Team held discussions with all major counter narcotics stakeholders and presented a report for consideration by the relevant national authorities.

Notwithstanding multiple international cooperation measures implemented by the government there is a firm understanding that Guyana’s economy on its own cannot allow for the effective funding of the comprehensive drug fight required to counter the impact of, powerful transnational drug

5 trafficking flows. Support from the international donor institutions is clearly necessary to aid Guyana in its counter drug fight. Realisation of such support has been slow over the reporting period.

NATIONAL INITIATIVES The government promotes fighting the illicit drug trade as an important national security objective and has continued to vigorously develop and implement national counter narcotics policies to avert the negative effect of the scourge on the nation and its citizens. While the formulation of a new NDSMP is well underway, implementation of those incomplete plans and programmes of the previous strategy are still on-going.

As part of the search for solutions to the problem of drug trafficking, the Task Force on Narcotics Drugs and Illicit Weapons was established in 2007. It emphasises the sharing of information and intelligence that can help in coordinating and advising on law enforcement operations related to the narcotics trade and trafficking in illicit weapons.

The Task Force operates under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Home Affairs and consists of representatives from five law enforcement agencies:

a. The Guyana Police Force b. The c. Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit d. Guyana Revenue Authority e. Financial Intelligence Unit

All constituent members are committed to the successfully accomplishment of the role of the Task Force by way of signature to a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out the modalities of operations of the Task Force.

Being all involved in law enforcement, there is a good appreciation among all entities of the magnitude of the challenges, as well as the nature and quality of responses that may be required in any given situation.

6 The Task Force conducts a statutory monthly meeting. Subcommittees meet as regularly as necessary in between statutory meetings. Additionally special meetings of the Task Force may be held as often as required. Two examples of such meetings are, the meeting with Guyana Shipping Association and the meeting with Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana.

Over the years the Task Force has generally fulfilled its mandate of interagency collaboration in quite an amicable and unified manner. Constituent members have by and large demonstrated respect for each other as they seem to recognise the value each agency brings to the table.

Some activities of note during 2011 include the following:

a. Revision of the Agreement of Cooperation Between Guyana and Venezuela on the Prevention of Illegal Consumption and the Suppression of Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors, as well as Related Offences. b. Supported the setting up of a Drug Information Network as part of the National Crime Observatory c. Establishment of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Guyana Revenue Authority. d. Activation of Shipping Scanners at the Guyana Revenue Authority. e. Putting in place the mechanism for the establishment of the Security Monitoring Committee at Ogle International Airport f. Cross border cooperation in counter drug activities that led to several successes in seizures and arrests in Guyana and Suriname. g. Meeting on hinterland roads, Trails and Riverain roots with several stakeholders to aid improving public security. h. Meeting with regional shippers, Seafreight Shipping Company to deal with Movement of Cargo, Customs Security, Seals verification, and the use of scanners.

Member agencies recognise the value of working across boundaries. Their representatives therefore act as catalysts in initiating partnerships and spreading the culture of collaboration nationally. The Task Force Secretariat, member agencies and its partners are working together to enhance security as they are committed to being strong partners in protecting broader national security interests as well. The combating of the drug trade in Guyana has seen a strong commitment by law enforcement agencies to pursue drug traffickers and dismantle their operations. For this reason, huge funding is regularly allocated to support law enforcement in the national counter drug effort.

7 The Guyana Police Force, the Customs Anti narcotic Unit and more recently the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of the Guyana Revenue Authority are constantly in the forefront of the drug fight. The DEU was launched in March 2011. It is mandated to monitor and examine on a profile basis, all exports from Guyana with the aim of identification and interdiction of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and illegal goods concealed within cargo. The DEU operates and monitors activities mainly at transit sheds/wharves in the Georgetown harbour.

Other counter drug measures that were implemented by the government during 2011 include:

a. Revised and initialled (by both sides) Draft – Guyana/ Venezuela Drug Agreement. b. Hosted Second Regional Workshop on Negotiations for the United Nations Arms Treaty. c. The first ever National Drug Report (2010) was approved printed and published. d. Completed and submitted United Nations Annual Questionnaire on Illicit Drugs to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. e. The Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons participated in meetings with other relevant Agencies at the Office of the President to discuss National Security challenges. f. Made recommendations to Cabinet for adjustments of Ports of Entry to Guyana. g. Hosted visit by a CICAD high level team led by the Executive Director and arranged discussions with all relevant Agencies. h. Hosted first meeting between Guyana and Suriname’s National Intelligence Agencies. i. Arranged and conducted Inter – agency meetings with Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Gold Board and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission on communication routes in the border and hinterland. j. Made recommendations for improvement in Security in Forestry and Mining sectors. k. Conducted Airport Security Workshop. Discussed challenges and measures for cooperation among relevant Agencies. l. Developed MOU for the Security Monitoring Committee Ogle International Airport.

Police reports for the year 2011 reveal that, 272 kg 409.6 grams of Cocaine, 884,291 kg 870 grams of Cannabis, 89 grams of Hashish and 4 grams of ecstasy were seized in Guyana. From Cannabis seizure, 880,288 kg 750 grams resulted from eradication operations where ninety four (94) fields amounting to 154 ¼ acres of Cannabis plants were destroyed.

8 In total, there were 466 prosecutions for drug related activities, which led to 190 convictions. Cocaine seizures were valued at G$244,800,000.00 whilst the Cannabis seizures were valued at G$159,172,380,000.00

Of the two most significant cocaine seizures, one occurred on the June 9th, 2011, where 149 kg 638 grams were seized at Botavia, Cuyuni River. The other occurred on August 16th, 2011; 67 kg 296 grams were seized at Haslington, Enmore, East Coast , Guyana. There were occasional seizures of less significance at Georgetown Seaport, Moleson Creek and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation.

The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit reported that during the year 2011 it made seizures amounting to 126 kg 551.1grams of cocaine, while Cannabis seizures amounted to 679 kg 530.8grams. One hundred and five kgs resulted from eradication operations. This represents almost two billion dollars’ worth of illicit drugs. CANU’s largest seizure came from the interception of a vessel carrying drugs that was suspected to have come from Venezuela and destined for Suriname. Such transhipments are done by “Go Fast boats” traversing our territorial waters.

9 The table below shows a comparison of national summary of seizures for the years 2010 to 2011:

DRUG SEIZURES* COMPARISONS 2010 to 2011

SER. YEAR 2010 YEAR 2011

Item Kilograms Grams Kilograms Grams

1. Cocaine 134 683.7 411 138.6

2. Cannabis 191,882 566.5 885,034 361.5

3. 0 Heroin -- 356 -- 395 3 4. 0 Hashish ------89 5 5. 0 Ecstasy ------04 6 *Seizures of cannabis include the eradication of plants.

The increased appearance of heroin, hashish and ecstasy in Guyana is cause for concern.

A total of one hundred and two (102) illicit small arms and similar ammunition were seized by Law Enforcement Agencies during the period under review. This included:

a. Shotguns. b. Six-shooter revolvers c. Pistols d. Rifles e. Improvised shotguns. f. Shotgun cartridges. g. Point .32 live rounds and spent cartridges.

10 Figures on Persons Charged for Drug Possession are shown below:

Males Females Type of Drug ≤18 Total ≤18 yrs 19-25 yrs >25 yrs 19-25 yrs >25 yrs yrs Cannabis (Marijuana) 0 63 137 0 3 9 212 Crack 2 4 13 0 0 1 20 Total 2 67 150 0 3 10 232 Persons Charged for Drug Possession by Type of Drug, Sex and Age Group, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011. Source: Guyana Police Force Records.

Figures on persons Charged for Drug Trafficking are shown below:

Males Females Type of Drug ≤18 Total ≤18 yrs 19-25 yrs >25 yrs 19-25 yrs >25 yrs yrs Cannabis (Marijuana) 1 74 147 1 6 25 254 Crack 1 24 46 0 13 1 85 Cocaine (HCL) 1 7 14 0 1 3 26 Heroin 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 Ecstasy 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Total 3 106 209 1 20 31 370 Persons Charged for Drug Trafficking by Type of Drug, Sex and Age Group, Jan. 1 to Dec 31, 2011. Source: Guyana Police Force Records.

The number of cases successfully prosecuted for the years 2006 to 2011 are shown in the table below:

Prosecutions 2006-2011 Total Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 No. of successful 269 210 140 169 264 256 1308 Cases Prosecuted Source: Task Force Secretariat.

11 DEMAND REDUCTION National policy on Demand Reduction is coordinated and promoted by the Ministry of Health with the support of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Services and the Ministry of Youth and Sports among several other government and non-government agencies. Resulting policy programmes and measures are implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Secuirty responsible for oversight, coordinating and implementing of all national counter drug strategies and plans.

The area of action for demand reduction ranges from health promotion to strategies for prevention of use and associated problems. This encompasses risk, harm reduction, and social care. Thus, the Ministry of Health combines these components, each of which requires a specific approach; in spite of the fact that certain contents are common and overlapping.

The Ministry of Health sponsored the establishment of drug abuse prevention and treatment programmes which were both community-based and residential, and which provided for the rehabilitation, after care and social reintegration of drug addicts as well as prevention programmes targeted at those groups at-risk of drug abuse.

These mechanisms were mainstreamed into education and health and programmes using “Edutainment” at the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary levels. Radio programmes such as “Tales from the Crack” and “Health and Family Life Education” were broadcasted. It was reported that over 10,000 students received anti-drug use and abuse messages through this intervention. The Ministry of Health also piloted Workplace & Community Health and Wellness Programme targeting adults.

Routine outpatient rehabilitation treatment was provided at the following public health agencies:

a. Georgetown Public Hospital b. New Amsterdam Hospital c. Mibicuri Cottage Hospital d. Skeldon Hospital e. Smythfield Drop in Centre.

A total of 48 clients were treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital outpatient centre, 233 at the New Amsterdam Hospital centre and 21at the Skeldon Hospital centre over the reporting period. The Guyana Prison Service has arranged treatment country wide for 1,277 prisoners.

12 Guyana has been involved in the revision and adoption of the CARICOM Universal Standard of Care Handbook for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Dependence during the reporting period.

The Handbook contains standards and guidelines for drug treatment practitioners in several critical areas including training and regulations: credentialing and certification, standards for detoxification programmes, outpatient drug free counselling, medication aided drug treatment and standards specific to prison based treatment programmes.

Additionally, Government continues to provide $5 million annually to the Salvation Army and approximately $3 million through the Ministry of Health to the Phoenix Recovery Centre for the purpose of implementing effective preventative and treatment-based mechanisms to cope with growing domestic drug consumption.

Over the reporting period, Phoenix Recovery Centre treated 146 cases (92males and 54 females) for substance abuse addiction. The below table shows further details:

No. of cases attending specialised treatment facilities for problems derived from the consumption of alcohol and other drugs during the year Type of Drug Total Male Female 19-25 ≤18 yrs 19-25 yrs >25 yrs ≤18 yrs >25 yrs yrs Alcohol 0 3 23 1 1 12 40 Tobacco 0 3 22 1 1 12 39 Marijuana (Cannabis) 1 3 18 1 1 11 35 Crack 0 1 16 0 1 11 29 Inhalants 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Amphetamines 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 Total # of Cases 1 11 80 3 4 47 146 Treated Number of Persons Treated for Alcohol and drug related problems, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011. Source: Annual Report Drug Information Network, 2011.

The Salvation Army treated a further 36 cases for alcohol and drug related addiction. The Guyana Prison Service conducted programmes for inmates on the social re-integration of drug users.

13 The OAS / CICAD through its MEM Report on Guyana’s Implementation of Recommendations from the Fifth Evaluation Round stated the following:

“CICAD recognises that in the area of Demand Reduction, the country has developed programmes for students to address issues of substance abuse and has made progress concluding the Global Youth Tobacco Survey and the first phase of the Drug Phenomenon in Latin America.”

Regardless of the new developing trends of the global drug problem, indications are that Government will remain firm in its commitment to institute more effective policies to enable agencies and departments under the purview of the security and health sectors to achieve their mandates in accordance with international and domestic laws.

CONCLUSION Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse are global occurrences that generally affect the individual, the family and all segments society. Guyana is located at a pivotal point on the major transhipment routes from the producing countries in South America to the largest international markets of North America and Europe. Consequently, Guyana has not been spared the distressing costs of this scourge.

Over the past years the country has witnessed higher treatment levels of illicit drug users of mainly marijuana and cocaine. Conversely there were corresponding increases in law enforcement counter drug operations and activities by other national stakeholder agencies to promote public security and public health affected by the societal ills associated with illicit trafficking.

In response to this on-going threat, and in keeping with its national development vision, the Government of Guyana has implemented a series of additional measures to combat the matching problems of demand and supply. With the technical support of the Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with other responsible national stakeholders, a New National Drug Strategy Master Plan is presently being drafted. This strategy will set out Government’s supreme policy to address the world drug problem in Guyana. It is intended to summarise national policies, define priorities and allocate responsibilities for the national drug control effort. Ultimately, it will attempt to create balance between programmes that bring about improvements in public security and those that do so in public health.

14 The national security community and other stakeholders in the drug fight need to tirelessly continue to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our current efforts and study novel approaches for wider implementation in their counter drug efforts.

Guyana is committed to regional and international collaboration in areas such as information sharing, training, and reporting of best practices in law enforcement, abuse prevention, education and the principle of mutual support among all states in the fight against the world drug problem.

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