Patrol boats gift from US Embassy to Customs

Two patrol boats valued US$118,000 have been donated to the Marine Interdiction Unit by the American Embassy. The boats are to be used to assist in border control and will enhance the security of the country’s ports of entry, coastlines and waterways.

In addition, the Embassy has recently assisted in the upgrading of the Canine Unit with the donation of two air-conditioned vans valued at US$36,263, K-9 trained dogs and training and certification for the canine handlers. The use of the K-9s continues to be one of the most effective border control tools available to the Government. In a release issued yesterday, the Embassy noted that with traditional crime and the increased terrorist threat in mind, the US Embassy and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago are working together to reduce the transhipment of narcotics, illegal firearms and ammunition flowing through Trinidad and Tobago. The release also revealed that the US Embassy will continue to work with Government to introduce state-of-the-art technology in its Customs and Excise operations.

“Through the US Customs and Border Protection Advisory Team, the United States Embassy has assisted the government in achieving security goals by donating International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Programme funded computers, printers, laptops and scanners valued US $179,830 to the Customs and Excise Preventive Branch. The United States Customs border protection advisory team has also assisted Trinidad and Tobago in becoming part of the customs Asia-Pacific enforcement reporting system which allows Customs and Excise to communicate with customs agencies worldwide. The release also noted that countering terrorism and traditional crime through these initiatives forms part of the important bilateral relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.