$171M upgrade for Coast Guard

CABINET has approved a total expenditure of $171 million to upgrade the resources of the Coast Guard to protect Trinidad and Tobago’s borders against incursions from international narcotics and arms traffickers. Government has also created a multi-sectoral chemical precursor team in light of the fact that TT is a “producer, exporter and importer of some chemicals that may be used for illicit drug production” and due to this country’s geo-strategic location between South American drug producing nations and the North American market.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph made these disclosures when he addressed the launch of the National Strategy to Eliminate Illicit Production and Trafficking of Drugs Produced Naturally or Synthetically and to Promote Related Control Measures (2005-2009) at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday. Joseph said the upgrade included new vessels and radar equipment for the Coast Guard “in order for it to increase its patrols of our territorial waters to facilitate increased detection of suspicious vessels” as well as the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System which will enhance the country’s surveillance capability where its borders are concerned.

With respect to the “misdirected and illegal use of chemicals by the criminal elements,” the minister said Cabinet created the chemical precursor team to draft updated legislation to ensure proper monitoring and accountability for chemicals which can be easily converted for the manufacture of illegal drugs.  Health Minister John Rahael first disclosed the establishment of the team during debate on the  Food and Drugs/ Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals  Bills in the Senate last year. Noting that some 12 drug laboratories (which convert raw cocaine into crack cocaine) have already been destroyed in the Caribbean,  Joseph said this showed the scourge of illicit drug trafficking can only be stopped through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. He added that TT is a signatory to several international and regional anti-narcotic conventions such as the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.