The Minister of the Interior, David Napoleón Barrientos, participated together with the Fifth Deputy Minister, Fernando Rodas, and representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Anti-Drug Affairs and Law Enforcement Section in Guatemala (INL), in the Presentation of the National Diagnosis of Capabilities for the Safe Handling and Elimination of Seized Drugs and Chemicals. The meeting took place on 11 October.
The Minister indicated that the fight against drug trafficking in all its forms constitutes an important part of the security agenda of the government of President Alejandro Giammattei and that for this reason there is a commitment on the part of the Ministry of the Interior to continue with these actions. .
The Head of the Interior Portfolio indicated that “a united effort has been made that has allowed us to achieve positive results thanks to the work of collaborators and international cooperation in the elimination of chemicals. Guatemala is proud, as a state, to manage complex of chemical precursors would be serious and responsible, and there is education that grows and strengthens day by day ”.
“The Fifth Deputy Ministry supervises and advises on the handling, storage and incineration of illicit substances and for this it has an anti-drug unit of the National Civil Police (PNC), which is composed of reliable personnel who know all the necessary protocols,” said Barrientos Girón. .
Tips and Finds
“Undoubtedly the suggestions and results presented to us today by the UNODC commit us to continue working and improving what we are doing, so the diagnosis will be immediately analyzed by a specialized team that will analyze and solve it”, underlined the Head of the Interior Portfolio.
He also highlighted: “To date, more than 1,000 tons of chemicals have been destroyed and there are still three months a year to increase that figure, which represents a complete success in these actions against drug trafficking,” said the minister. of the Interior.
The authorities highlighted the work carried out in the Chemical Precursors complex located on the Estanzuela y Navajas farm, because it is a reference center for the incineration of substances in the Central American region.
Note: Carlos Hernandez
Photo: Paulo Raquec
