by Kurt Campbell
Following the allegations made by self-confessed Guyanese drug lord, Barry Dataram earlier this week, that Agents of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit were involved in drug trafficking, the National Security Committee, headed by President David Granger is taking steps to launch an investigation.
The President told reporters at his office on Wednesday morning that the NSC met on Tuesday where the matter was raised.
He said a decision was also taken to set up a Board of Inquiry, under an Officer to be named, to investigate the allegations reported in the media.
Dataram, in his televised interview on Monday said that the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit was involved in the drug trade and that the unit had agents who were allowing cocaine to pass through the Cheddi Jagan Airport.
CANU immediately dismissed the allegations of Dataram, who is currently before the courts on a 225 pound cocaine cocaine trafficking charge. Dataram is also wanted by US Authorities for drug trafficking in the US.
President Granger said the Board of Inquiry will be given Terms of Reference under which its investigation is to be carried out, but it will be done with the sole aim to determine the veracity of the allegations.
“Yes we are setting up an inquiry to investigate the allegations which were reported in the press,” he said.
The President said anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly. “We expect due process … after a proper investigation if there is a case to answer persons will be put before the courts,”
Mr. Granger added. He said his government will not interfere in the judicial process neither was he interested in persecuting people. “I just want to know the facts.”
The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit believes that Barry Dataram made the allegations to deflect attention from his ongoing court matter . His relative, Troy Dataram who is an electrician, was recently found with over $10 Million cash in his home by the Special Organised Crime Unit.
During a television interview in which he admitted being a a drug lord who has never been convicted, Dataram said “CANU, them is the most corrupted, rogue security force in this country. They are the biggest drug dealer this country has. The same drug that they seize, half of it goes back on the street”.
The Head of CANU, James Singh wants Dataram to make the same confessions under oath during his trial and needs to also speak to local and foreign drug enforcement agents about his involvement in the drug trade and other players in the trade.
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