By Augustine Octavius
The United States has observed that Liberia is still vulnerable to exploitation by transnational criminal organizations from the Middle East, South America and Europe, because of its vast territorial water and porous borders.
The Director of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs at the United States Embassy in Monrovia, Bisola Ojikutu said combating transnational crimes in Liberia will help the government improve security, reduce corruption, prevent crime and decrease drug abuse.
Ms. Ojikutu was speaking this week, when she delivered the keynote speech at the opening of a four-day basic training of the legal framework for investigation and prosecution of transnational organized crimes.
The training workshop is bringing together prosecution lawyers from across Liberia.
Authorities at Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) have said there are 156 entry points in the country but only 59 are manned by personnel of the agency.
The US Embassy official said the United States will continue to support Liberia and its Judiciary in order to provide a safety society for the people.
For his part, the West African Coordinator of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), Jesus Cerezo said transnational organized crime remains a global threat.
“Its effect are felt locally, namely what concerns drug trafficking. Because when organized crime takes roots it can destabilize country and its neighbors,” Mr. Cerezo said.
The UN Office on Drug and Crime official pointed out that the threat that transnational organized crime, notably during trafficking in the West African region and Liberia.
But the UNODC official said this can be mitigated by making additional efforts towards the enhancing of the law enforcement agencies and justice systems.
He said the UN will continue to enhance and modernize the law enforcement agencies and judiciary systems in Liberia.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crimes has promised to help in mitigating the risks that transnational organized crimes and international drug trafficking pose to the development, stability and peace in the country.
The four-day training course in Monrovia, which is organized by the UNODC, is funded by the United States Embassy in Monrovia.