Guyana launches GPS tracking to combat crime, smuggling
There has been a increase in vehicular robbery and car-jackings in Guyana recently, as well as an ongoing problem with Venezuelan fuel and drug smugglers, who use the sparsely populated coastal lagoons and jungles of northwest Guyana to ply their illegal trade; the Guyanese fuel industry is facing problems with the siphoning and theft of gasoline; two Guyanese companies now offer GPS vehicle tracking technology which will bolster the authorities’ ability to fight vehicular robbery, smuggling, and oil theft
Guyana, a country on the north coast of South America, has seen two local companies launch Global Positioning System (GPS) Vehicle Tracking services, in conjunction with the government of Guyana, to monitor the movements of land and marine vehicles. Guyanese officials hope that the use of GPS Vehicular Tracking will help to combat crime and smuggling in that nation.
There has been a increase in vehicular robbery and car-jackings in Guyana recently, as well as an ongoing problem with Venezuelan fuel and drug smugglers, who use the sparsely populated coastal lagoons and jungles of northwest Guyana to ply their illegal trade. Venezuelan fuel smugglers are believed to be behind the recent grenade attack on the home of the head of Guyana’s State Fuel company, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), in retaliation for his efforts to step-up enforcement.
The prime minister of Guyana, Samuel Hinds, stated that he has “no doubt” that the recent grenade attack “stems from the excellent job being done by the GEA, in discovering, disrupting and prosecuting fuel smugglers…,” adding that “We want to end the idea that persons can smuggle fuel and get away with it.”
“Every society needs persons who would seek to protect it from those who would pursue what appear to be large sums of easy money, irrespective of the cost to both society and themselves. Those members of society who, in spite of the risks involved, take jobs that lead in the fight against such criminal activities are providing an essential, invaluable service to society,” concluded Hinds.
In April 2010 RK Security Service of Georgetown, Guyana, founded by Roshan Khan, launched its GPS Dragnet Satellite tracking services. This follows the expansion of the firm E-Networks into the business of GPS vehicle tracking. As well as extensive maps and great directions, these GPS tracking systems will provide a vital tool in the fight against crime.
The introduction of GPS Vehicular Tracking has been celebrated by the Guyanese Home Affairs Minister Clement J. Rohee, who stated that there are “too many carjackings as well as too many crimes committed with the use of motorized vehicles.”
The GPS tracker system is programmed to send periodic vehicle location reports. In case of a carjacking, the tracker has the ability to shut the vehicle off or lead authorities to the vehicle while it is still on the move.
As a tool to fight fuel and drug smuggling, the GPS Vehicular Tracking systems will provide owners and authorities with a steady update on the locations of registered vehicles. Should a registered boat or fuel carrier leave a designated course, then the system can track course deviations. In addition, unregistered boats will be easier to track, highlighting the other, unregistered boats for more intensive searches.
Another problem facing the Guyanese fuel industry is the siphoning and theft of gasoline. Wayward employees often siphon gas right from the company cars or trucks. The new tracking systems can identify when and where vehicles are stopped, and also send an alert when the gas tank is being opened. This will be an invaluable tool for investigators looking to apprehend thieves, and break-up smuggling or theft rings.
The increase in fuel and drug smuggling in Guyana has even reached into official circles. In October 2009 three members of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), including an officer, were arrested after they were caught transporting three drums of smuggled Venezualan fuel. The soldiers were arrested at the Parika Stelling, the public dock, on the Essequibo River port town of Parika.
Guyana Home Affairs Minister Rohee, who recently opened the Naional Crime Observatory to coordinate anti-smuggling efforts, support the GPS Vehicle Tracking initiative. Rohee concluded that the work of the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband and the Task Force on Narcotics and Illegal Weapons, have resulted in much greater collaboration among the Agencies involved in combating drugs and the smuggling of firearms, fuel, and other types of goods. According to Rohee, the successes that the GEA has been achieving recently in seizing illegal fuel and interdicting persons could be attributed, in no small measure, to the co-operation and initiative from the respective agencies.
