FBI, Guyana looking to strengthen relationship

Following a meeting between Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., and lead officer of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the Caribbean region James Markley, the bureau is looking to intensify its relationship with Guyana.

Markley was accompanied by FBI’s Assistant Legal Attache’ Derek Kreitensteid, and Mayan L. Shih of the US State Department during the meeting at the Attorney General Chambers, Georgetown.

During the meeting, a number of areas in which the FBI and the Government of Guyana have been cooperating were raised, according to a press release from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

The areas include rendering mutual assistance in criminal matters, extradition, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, trafficking of narcotics and firearms, tracing proceeds of organized crime and forfeiture of assets, trafficking in persons, and cyber-related criminal activities.

The bureau wishes to intensify its relationship with the Government of Guyana in the investigation, prosecution, and securing convictions in these types of offences the press release said.

The release stated that the Attorney General signaled the government’s continued commitment to the upholding of the rule of law in all its facets, including the pursuit of all forms of criminality, in particular organized crimes.

Nandlall also informed the team of the various policies and training programs being pursued by the various law enforcement agencies to enhance the State’s capabilities to investigate, prosecute and convict for criminal conduct, as well as the government’s robust legislative agenda.

The Attorney General emphasized that cyber space is the new emerging platform for the commission of serious criminal offences in Guyana and indeed globally.

He identified many persons who use social media platforms, in particular in the United States to spew racial hostilities and create ethnic strife among segments of the Guyana population, inciting and aiding and abetting riotous conduct and even domestic terrorism in Guyana, the release said.

“He informed the team that the State of Guyana has already lodged formal complaints with various important offices and agencies in the United States on this matter, including the FBI,” the release stated.

Nandlall used the opportunity to reiterate those reports requesting actions from US authorities against these perpetrators who operate with impunity from the United States.