French customs pass on tips to local officers

(CNS): Sixteen customs officers are currently undergoing training and sharing information with a team of French Consular customs officials. The session which began Tuesday, at Customs Headquarters, is to help local customs officers and bosses with theoretical and practical experience of international customs operational techniques, said custom’s training manager, Langlie Powery. Topics cover information and techniques to combat the smuggling of drugs, firearms and other contraband.

Deputy French Customs Attaché for the US, Rodolphe Gautreau, who is stationed in Miami, as well as Customs Officers, Sebastien Messy from La Rochelle, France, and Gregory Branzi from Guadeloupe are the trainers.

“We are very pleased to be in the Cayman Islands to share our knowledge and techniques about a number of customs operations with officers here,” said Gautreau. “This meets a common goal of all customs officers, which is to ensure that nefarious activities are curtailed and the rule of law is upheld.”

Thanking the French officers, Collector of Customs, Samantha Bennett said she was delighted that local could benefit from the French expertise, “gaining a new perspective on Customs operations worldwide that can add to our knowledge and enhance our skills,” she added.