Guyana and Venezuelan authorities agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat the drug trade during a meeting in the Venezuelan capital earlier this month.

A release yesterday from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that on November 4 and 5, a delegation from Guyana comprising former Commissioner of Police, Floyd McDonald DSM, who represented the Ministry of Home Affairs; Seelall Persaud- Assistant Commis-sioner and Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Guyana Police Force; and James Singh- Head of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit, attended a meeting of the Guyana/ Venezuela Mixed Commission on Drugs in Caracas, Venezuela. Guyana’s delegation was augmented by the presence of Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Odeen Ishmael as Head of the delegation and two staff members of the Guyana Embassy in Caracas. The release stated that the meeting was held with the National Anti Drugs Office, (ONA) of Venezuela at their Headquarters in Caracas.

During the meeting a number of issues of mutual interest in the fight against drugs were discussed and agreed on. The matters ranged from mutual cooperation to the exchange of information. Thirteen items were identified for follow up action to be taken by both countries, the release stated.

It was agreed by both delegations that the cooperation between the two countries to combat the drug trade should be strengthened and intensified, the Ministry said.

Most of the cocaine transiting Guyana is believed to come from Venezuela by boats. Several boatmen have been murdered in recent times in drug-related attacks. Much of the cocaine that passes through Guyana is shipped out to other countries.