REGIONAL LAW enforcement and postal service officials met in Barbados recently in a bid to raise awareness of the struggle against drug smuggling and money laundering through the mail.
"While other modes of drug trafficking have been targeted by law enforcement, no regional effort is in place to address the shipment of drugs through postal services," the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDC) stated in a joint statement with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU). "The Caribbean remains a major transit route for narcotics originating in South America and destined for North America and Europe."
According to the three agencies, "the postal services of the Caribbean have been identified as possible conduits for these illicit drugs and the proceeds generated from their trade".
Last week's workshop was intended to help in the development of drug screening programmes and foster regional co-operation with security forces. According to the statement, UPU, INTERPOL and UN experts led the seminar.
