Beginning this month, Guyana will be one of six CARICOM countries that will be provided with narcotics and explosives trace detection technology by the Canadian government through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
In addition, the CBSA will be providing related training to Customs officials here as well as in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
This latest partnership between Canada and these six CARICOM countries is aimed at enhancing border security in advance of the Cricket World Cup 2007, the Canadian High Commission in Georgetown said in a press release yesterday.
The ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS) technology will be deployed to high risk and high volume ports of entry over a six-week period. Training will be provided to approximately 120 Customs officials on the use and maintenance of the technology as well as on the identification of narcotics and explosives and response procedures.
High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Charles Court is quoted as saying that “the provision of this technology represents a further Canadian contribution to safety and security in the Caribbean region.” The high commissioner said further that “preparations for the Cricket World Cup have offered a significant opportunity to strengthen our bilateral cooperation. Canada will continue to seek ways to promote a comprehensive approach to enhancing security in Guyana and the region.”
The IMS technology, according to the release, will assist Customs officials in conducting fast, effective, non-intrusive inspections of high-risk travellers, conveyances and commercial shipments. Canada has been using this type of technology since 1995 resulting in numerous drug seizures; and the technology has been in use since 2006 for explosives. The CBSA, a part of the Public Safety portfolio, has been a strong supporter and technical assistance provider for Caribbean Customs administrations, the release added.
