Wednesday in Les Cayes, the US Ambassador to Haiti, Michele J. Sison at the head of a delegation, visited the Haitian base of the Coast Guard to inquire about cooperation between the United States and Haiti in strengthening maritime safety and the fight against drug trafficking at sea.

Recall that in the framework of this bilateral cooperation, the Office of Narcotics and Enforcement Affairs (INL), of the State Department has supported the National Drug Control Narcotics Enforcement Brigad of Haiti (BLTS), and the Haitian Coast Guard through the Maritime Joint Task Force for Counter-Narcotics Operations of the Haitian National Police with approximately $ 1.5 million investment including two Boston Whaler boats for more effective control of the Haitian Coast Guard.

"The Joint Task Force is an important initiative to secure Haiti's maritime borders and fight transnational crime," said Ambassador Sison, "I am really pleased to see this model of inter-agency cooperation takes shape to meet both the security needs of the Haitian population as well as ships transiting Haitian waters at this important commercial hub in the region. "

The members of the delegation had the opportunity to observe a training session on the maintenance and operation of boats, conducted by the "Virginia Electronic Systems", a partner of the INL for regular trainings between the United States, the Haitian Coast Guard and the BLTS.

The ambassador also said that she would support the project to create a K-9 canine unit at the base, intended for the detection of narcotics.

HL/ HaitiLibre