Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer

Dr. Peter Phillips, the Minister of National Security, has conceded that the country still faces the risk of criminals, including persons connected to the narcotics trade, getting elected to Parliament.

It is a concern that is shared by Derrick Smith, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, who says there must be continued vigilance on the part of the political parties and the security forces to guard against that eventuality.

In an interview with The Gleaner, Phillips said the possibility of criminal infiltration into the political process was "a clear and present danger".

In that regard, he said that the country had not "turned the corner to the extent that I would want us to turn it as far as the risks to the political process is concerned." To guard against such an occurrence, however, he said that the security forces were fully assured of the Government's backing to go against anyone who broke the law, no matter the person's status.

"It is a mandate, not to victimise politically, but it is a mandate to ensure that no one, politician, businessman, of high status or whatever, is going to breach the laws of this country, prey on the citizens of this land, and exploit people's weaknesses simply for greed and get away with it," he said.

Dr. Phillips was speaking against the background of last week's police raids in which seven persons were arrested and millions of dollars worth of ganja seized, along with related assets and records. These, the police reported, were carried out as part of a coordinated international strike against the drugs trade in seven countries.

Major drug busts

The string of major drug busts started last year, with several persons, described as important figures in the international narcotics trade, now awaiting possible extradition to the United States for trial.

Despite the successes to date, however, there are lingering concerns that persons connected to the drugs trade could infiltrate the legislature and, ultimately, the executive branch of government.

Derrick Smith, also Phillips' counterpart as Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives, says his party is mindful of such dangers.

"Recent drug busts and the recent detention by Operation Kingfish of persons apparently involved with the international narcotics trade suggest that the drugs trade is alive and well and as long as we have that level of activity, there is always the possibility that there are persons connected directly and indirectly could slip through."

Because of that concern, Smith reported that it was his practice frequently to inquire of the police commissioner whether the police had any concern regarding anyone wishing to be a candidate for the Jamaica Labour Party at either the local government or parliamentary level. The commissioner, he said, would sometimes indicate "areas of potential concern."

"He has never highlighted an individual, but has always guided me of potential problems by way of affiliation or potential contacts and it has been my duty for sometime now to brief the party leader of such concerns," Smith said.

Responding to calls for State funding of political party campaigns to ward off illicit money from drug lords, Smith is cautioning that, while this should help, it is not likely to provide a complete deterrent. Continued vigilance remained of great importance, he emphasised.

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