STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (AG)

Mr Vice President: Yesterday May 10, 2004 two persons appeared in a Port-of-Spain Court charged with offences related to alleged drug trafficking, in an incident involving the operations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The matter is before the courts and obviously sub judice. I am, therefore, confining my statement to noting the facts that are in the public domain and advising this Honourable House of the unfortunate circumstances in this regard.

Last week, Intelligence Officers with the cooperation of officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, intercepted a package of cocaine that arrived at the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York. Similarly, a package intended for dispatch to Toronto and another for London, were seized at Piarco and Port-of-Spain, respectively. All of these packages were being smuggled through the use of the diplomatic pouch, which is not subject to the scrutiny of the Customs Department and other authorities at the receiving end.

The Government views this incident as an extremely serious matter striking at the very heart of our National Security and with the potential, if undetected, to do grave injury to the country’s reputation at a time when we are poised for significant economic strides.
While the official police investigation proceeded, the Government took the following steps:
* The Foreign Ministry in Port-of-Spain immediately summoned a number of employees posted at the three Trinidad and Tobago Missions abroad back to Trinidad to assist in the enquiries being conducted.
* Contact was made with the highest level representatives at the Port-of-Spain Diplomatic Missions of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom advising them of these developments.
They were also assured of our stern efforts to protect the integrity of the diplomatic pouch facility, and of our unstinting commitment to the responsibility of global security.
I wish to assure you, Mr Vice President, and the Honourable Members of this House, as well as the general public of Trinidad and Tobago, that this Government will not shirk in its undertaking to fight the battle against those who attempt to undermine the lawful systems of our country and undermine relations with others.
As a consequence of these events, immediate steps have been taken to avoid a recurrence, with the imposition of more stringent procedures and supervision not only of the dispatch of the bags, but also the preparation and documentation thereof. The appropriate authorities are in the process of revetting all personnel connected therewith.
This Government will spare no effort to support the work of our law enforcement agencies, the vigilant men and women of our Services — from Military to Police, from Customs to Immigration — all of whom we once again take the opportunity to commend today.
Thank you.