Dear Editor,
I refer to the article in your publication of Stabroek News dated Sunday, July 1, 2012 captioned ‘Pepper sauce cocaine probe in limbo – Canada ignored request for information, says CANU’ and wish to note the following:
Specifically as it relates to the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) not receiving assistance from the relevant Canadian officials, it should be noted that in this case no request for information was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (on behalf of CANU) to the Canadian authorities under the mutual legal assistance mechanism as established by the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act No. 38 of 2009.
Subsequent to the seizure in December 2008 in Canada, local investigations commenced and discussions were held with Canadian counterparts. However the information and assistance provided to CANU was insufficient for charges to be instituted in Guyana.
I wish to state that the impression given when the article is read, leads one to believe that our Canadian counterparts are reluctant to assist with local investigations which are of mutual interest. This is totally inaccurate.
I should be grateful if the foregoing could be communicated to the public via your publication.
Yours faithfully,
James Singh
Head
Customs Anti Narcotic Unit
