Gangs blamed for crime in region
published: Saturday | September 13, 2003
Kellier
ORGANISED CRIME gangs are being blamed for the increase in narcotics, guns and murder in the Caribbean region. Derrick Kellier, Minister of State for National Security, made the accusation last Friday in addressing 32 police, customs, immigration, military and port security personnel who graduated from a narcotics investigators' course at the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre, Twickenham Park, south-central St. Catherine. Mr. Kellier, the guest speaker, told them:
"It is important for you to understand that organised criminal networks have established command centres resulting in the increase of transhipment of illegal narcotics, firearms and ammunition, resulting in increased murders, mayhem and fear. In addition the drug trade provides large sums of money that support extreme criminal activities."
CARICOM, he said, was aware of the threats that "you the enforcers face in confronting the criminal enterprises". The production, trafficking and use of illegal narcotics throughout the English-speaking Caribbean must be a major concern to all, Mr. Kellier told the investigators who were from 12 Caribbean countries. He added that illegal narcotics production, abuse and trade "negatively affect our people and communities".
He congratulated the investigators on their successful completion of "this most relevant course of studies" and challenged each of them to serve the region with great honour and pride "for your homeland security". Bertram Milwood, Director/Principal of the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre, said there were encouraging signs emerging in the relentless struggle against drug trafficking throughout the Caribbean. "Seizures and apprehension of drug traffickers are certainly increasing and there is improved collaboration and co-operation among law enforcement officers across the Caribbean", he said. It was ack-nowledged that no country, irrespective of the resources at its command, could by itself respond to drug trafficking successfully, he said, as that was an area which called for vigour in international co-operation and collaboration.
Mr. Milwood advised the graduates: "You have now been given the tools to strengthen your efficiency and effectiveness and I challenge you to put drug traffickers to flight and save the youth of your countries". Ten of the investigators were from Jamaica, five from Trinidad and Tobago, three each from Bermuda, Grenada and the Cayman Islands, two from the Turks and Cacois Islands and one each from Barbados, Belize, the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The courses covered such topics as: case investigation, ethics and integrity in law enforcement, identification of drugs, airport profiles and baggage, money laundering, intelligence and systems, over-view of drugs and trends, and demand reduction education and prevention.
