The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) expressed concerns on Friday regarding the slothfulness of the state’s prosecutorial arm in pursuing the “masterminds” involved in gold smuggling and major drug operations.
The party referenced as an example, the seizure made earlier this week by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of a large quantity of gold and over G$26 million in cash in Lethem, Region Nine. It noted that two Brazilian nationals were arrested, a salesman, and a clothes vendor.
It also referenced the massive drug bust in Region One last September when the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) found 4.4 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of some G$40.7 billion stashed in a bunker at a clandestine airstrip in Region One.
The party said that in relation to the Region One drug find, no one has been charged.
“These seizures are few and sporadic and do not result in convictions. They also fail to lead to the identification or arrest of the criminal masterminds,” the party said.
It noted that were the government truly unwavering in its commitment to fight drugs and drug-trafficking, it would implement measures that would boost the capacity of the security forces to detect and track illegal flights and boats into our territory through adequate satellite, drone, and ground surveillance systems.
The party also recommended that law enforcement agencies utilise the recently enacted plea-bargaining legislation to garner information from accused persons to increase the scope and effectiveness of investigations.
