2004 Speeches

Ambassador Hands Over Vehicles and Computers

February 9, 2006

Address by Dr. Roy L. Austin
U.S. Ambassador to T&T
Vehicles and Computers Handover
Police Headquarters
Corner of Edward & Sackville Streets

The Honorable Martin Joseph, Minister of National Security; Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs, Trinidad & Tobago Police Service; Senior Superintendent Kathleen Weekes, Organized Crime & Narcotics Unit; Ms. Annmari Grant, Communictions Specialist, Trinidad & Tobago Police Service.

Good afternoon!

I am pleased to be here today to hand over materials to you that should make a difference in our shared efforts to reduce the flow of narcotics through Trinidad and Tobago, and reduce opportunities for other criminal activities.

The abuse of illegal drugs that pervades our societies is not a single nation’s problem, but one that is global in nature. Therefore, the reduction of illegal drug involvement requires the cooperation and support of the global community. The United States of America is pleased to support Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to reduce the flow of illegal drugs across your country’s borders by donating four cars, some computers and related equipment. We donate these assets, which were purchased through our embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement program, to the Police Service’s Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU).

The vehicles, computers and related equipment will improve OCNU’s ability to target major organizations responsible for moving illegal drugs into Trinidad and onward to Europe, Canada and the United States. The computers will enable OCNU to conduct critical analysis of drug intelligence in order to identify leaders of local drug trafficking rings. Presently, many of these leaders labor under the illusion that they are untouchable by law enforcers.

Over the years, the Security Forces of Trinidad and Tobago have demonstrated a determined effort to combat trafficking in illegal drugs. OCNU has spearheaded this effort. For this country to be successful in this enterprise then, OCNU must obtain the sophisticated tools required to counter the increasing sophistication of traffickers.

The performance of OCNU over time indicates that Trinidad and Tobago and the United States both benefit from the donation of suitable equipment by the United States government. There is no doubt, therefore, that the assets donated today will produce desirable results. OCNU will be more successful in its effort to disrupt major drug-trafficking transactions.

The ceremony that you are witnessing exemplifies just one area in which our governments are cooperating to alleviate the harms of common problems and thereby improve the lives of our peoples.