TOWARDS A NARCO-STATE?

One can find many reasons to be depressed in Guyana today, brutal crimes,
domestic violence, the mean political culture, economic stagnation. But
perhaps overshadowing all of this is the clear evidence that drug
traffickers, money launderers and smugglers are playing an increasing role
in the economy.

As is well known, drug money has surfaced in the timber industry, in
housing development and in the general business sector. Despite avoidance
measures fuel smuggling continues, and business 'laundries' sell goods at
impossible prices which make it clear that full duty has not been paid on
the items or that profit is not the main objective. It is a sad and
chilling reality that makes one feel uneasy and even alien in one's own
country. A new, sleazy business class is spreading its wings.

The government has proved unable to deal with the problem though it is
obvious from foreign drug busts of shipments from Guyana that the trade is
thriving and Guyana is increasingly being used as a transit point by the
cartels, perhaps because of pressure elsewhere. Indeed the government has
admitted that it lacks the resources to fight drug trafficking and money
laundering on its own and suggestions have been made that it should seek
outside assistance from the British and American governments, as has been
done by Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The drug trade affects a small, developing country like Guyana in many
ways. First, it introduces organised crime with all that that entails
including the exertion of corrupt pressures on politicians, the police and
the legal system. The effects of those pressures on the rule of law are
incalculable. Secondly, it helps to create a local class of addicts with
the further problems of crime and violence that can spawn. Some of this is
already visible.

The government is, we believe, despite its promulgation of its National
Drug Strategy Master Plan 2005-2009, not giving sufficient priority to
dealing with this menace. It will be the ultimate disaster for Guyana if
after all these years of political instability, hardship and emigration it
moves in the direction of becoming a narco-state in which criminal
interests hold increasing sway. The alarm bells have already tolled and if
a halt is not called and dramatic action taken it may soon be too late.