Permanent staffing of the US Drug Enforcement Agency office in Guyana should now be in place by February 15, according to US Ambassador, Perry Holloway.

The Embassy was hoping for the office to be fully in place by January 15, but the Ambassador said the definite date is now in the month of February.

Appearing on the JumpStart morning show on Thursday, Ambassador Holloway stressed that the role of the DEA in Guyana will be quite different from that of local police or the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit.

“One of the advantages of having the DEA here full-time is that it will be legally easier for us to share a lot more information. And I want to stress to the Guyanese people, DEA is not the Guyanese police, they are not CANU, they will not be doing operations, they will not be kicking down doors or arresting people. They are here as advisors and legal attaché. They will be here working on cases that have a U.S nexus. They will be sharing information with Guyana so that Guyana could work on its own cases as well”, the Ambassador said.

Although, the office in Guyana is not permanent staffed, there is the presence of DEA agents.

Mr. Holloway said there will be the need for co-operation for the fight against the drug trade to be won.

He reminded that the request and approval for the DEA permanent presence in Guyana took place under the Donald Ramotar administration. Ambassador Holloway said the new David Granger led government has been very supportive on the issue.

U.S Ambassador – Perry Holloway

Just recently, Guyana signed an agreement with the United States which will see local drug enforcement agents being trained by the DEA. They will also have to undergo integrity testing and vetting. Ambassador Holloway explained that the integrity testing is important when dealing with sensitive information.

He noted that the vetting process is to ensure the integrity of the persons who will be working along with the DEA. It will be voluntary but will be done to ensure there is no leakage of sensitive information when investigations are being done.

The Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States has permanent offices set up in more than 80 countries around the world.

With Guyana being used as a drug transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and other parts in North America and Europe, the need has always existed for greater assistance from US and other international agencies.

Guyana has been stepping up its fight in the narco trade and the local agencies responsible for the drug fight have been working along with DEA agents who are stationed in Guyana from time to time. Assistance has also been coming in from other DEA offices.

President David Granger announced last year that the government has now formed the National Anti Narcotics Agency, which will play the key role in bringing together the local agencies involved in the drug fight and have them work closer together and with international partners.

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