Australian High Commissioner Philip Kentwell at The Gleaner's offices in central Kingston yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

JAMAICA COULD, in future, benefit from Australian exper-tise to help alleviate the serious problem of drug and arms trafficking in and out of the country.

Media reports, in recent times, have indicated that there has been a surge in the movement of arms and drugs through the country's borders. It is believed that this is due to the increasing illegal drugs-for-guns trade between Haiti and Jamaica.

Philip Kentwell, the non-resident Australian high commissioner to Jamaica, who is on an official visit to the island, told The Gleaner yesterday that his country was not averse to assisting Jamaica in the area of border protection.

He said Australia has not yet entered into talks with Jamaica on the issue, but noted that this was one of the areas that could be explored.

The high commissioner said Australia, with its large border, has had to fend off trafficking in illegal drugs and guns.

Border protection

Australia has assisted small Pacific countries in border protection and fisheries protection.

Kentwell said his country has been successful in significantly reducing the flow of illegal migrants in small boats, and has also achieved success detecting small aircraft trafficking drugs into the country.

"We are identifying greater numbers, that's because over a period of time you establish a pattern of monitoring through aircraft surveillance," he said. "There are lessons that can be shared," he added.

The Australian envoy said his country would also be willing to pass on technical expertise in agriculture to facilitate greater productivity yields.

On another matter, he lauded Jamaica's recent achievements at the Beijing Olympics. "I offer my congratulations to the people of Jamaica. I think it is a great win and good reason to celebrate," he said.

He hinted at cooperation in the area of sports, particularly cricket. Australia has dominated world cricket since 1999.