The government of Guyana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States for the operation of a vetted counter-narcotic investigative unit programme.
The Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Halloway signed the MOU on Wednesday.
The Vetted Unit Program of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),is to train, equip and provide necessary assistance to partner countries so specialized units in those countries can meet certain standards and increase capacity in integrity, professionalism, and competence in fighting drug crime.
“This program is intended to ensure better investigations and interdiction, and to prosecute and dismantle high-value targets in narco-trafficking networks,” said a release issued following the signing.
Members of Guyana’s Law Enforcement sector who will participate in the Vetted Unit Program will have to pass certain background checks, plus tests as to medical and psychological fitness for duty, polygraph testing and random drug testing.
The DEA will be responsible for all expenses for training, whether it be local or international. It was noted that the MOU will remain in force for a period of five years.
