The menace of drug trafficking in the Caribbean region has spread its tentacles across the countries of the region. This multi-million dollar business has assumed such proportions as to threaten the governments and ruin political stability in some of these countries. The drug cartel is so powerful that it is not possible to control the illegal trade without stringent measures implemented with the cooperation of the concerned countries.
Secretary-general of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza, joined the leaders of Colombia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago in their call to the international community to lend support to their anti-drug trafficking policies. The leaders were attending the Caribbean anti-drug summit on Friday in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican President Leonel Fernandez said ‘We all feel that drug-trafficking has increased recently in the region, permeating our societies, and causing violence, criminality and instability.’
The leaders agreed to strengthen the efforts to fight money laundering, drug trafficking and other organized crimes. The Caribbean plays a major role in drug-related money laundering. The bank secrecy laws and the well-developed offshore banking systems in these countries facilitate money laundering.
Most of the Illegal drugs shipped through Caribbean nations from South American countries find their way into the United States. Canada, United Kingdom, France and many other countries in far corners of the world are also in the list of destinations.
According to the declaration, an office will be established in each of the member nations to carry out anti-drug trafficking commitments agreed to by them.
Drug trafficking has increased in the region of late. The criminals also take advantage of the geography of the region to escape the law enforcing authorities.
Improvements in information sharing and police collaboration are needed to boost efforts in intercepting smuggling by land, air and sea.
