Antigua and Barbuda Security Chiefs Deny Drug Transit Role, Cite Low-Risk Status

Joint statement from police, defence, immigration and drug control heads rejects claims Antigua and Barbuda serves as a narcotics corridor. Leaders cite international assessments classifying the island as low-risk.

Security chiefs reject drug transit allegations against Antigua and Barbuda

The heads of Antigua and Barbuda's four principal law-enforcement and national security agencies have issued a joint statement rejecting allegations that the island nation serves as a corridor for narcotics trafficking, caribbeantoday.com reports.

Brigadier Talbert Benjamin of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), Edward Croft of the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP), Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers, and Katrina Yearwood of the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department signed the statement from St. John's.

"We will not provide shelter for those who profit from it. We remain vigilant at sea, resolute in investigation, firm in enforcement, and committed to cooperation with trusted partners—guided always by the law and the national interest," the four officials said.

Allegations prompted by US counter-drug operations

The statement comes in direct response to public commentary following recent counter-narcotics efforts by the United States government targeting narcotics flows from producing countries to the south. Those operations generated media reports alleging that Caribbean governments and leaders had been corrupted by drug traffickers.

The security chiefs acknowledged that sections of the print and electronic media had suggested Antigua and Barbuda was "a primary part of the alleged Caribbean route" and that its political leadership was involved.

"We are not aware of any indictment, investigation, or official finding that identifies Antigua and Barbuda, its institutions, or its officials in this regard," they stated. They added that no credible intelligence, investigative finding, or evidentiary material had ever indicated political involvement in narco-trafficking.

International assessments classify island as low-risk

The four officials pointed to independent international evaluations to support their position. The most recent national threat analysis continues to classify Antigua and Barbuda as a "low-risk jurisdiction, reflecting a strong legal and regulatory framework, effective financial oversight, a comparatively low crime rate, and meaningful international cooperation," they said.

They noted the country is not listed among jurisdictions identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as having strategic deficiencies requiring enhanced monitoring. Antigua and Barbuda has also undergone detailed peer review under the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) process, which the officials said records high-level political commitment and the continuous strengthening of systems to combat money laundering and related crimes.

The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States has separately recognised the country's operational performance. In its evaluation, CICAD observed that Antigua and Barbuda "implements actions to identify organised criminal groups involved in drug trafficking and related crimes; maintains effective inter-institutional collaboration and cooperation mechanisms to coordinate activities aimed at dismantling those groups; and has participated in joint operations and investigations with other countries directed at dismantling organised criminal networks."

Drug trafficking and firearms remain priority concerns

Despite the positive overall assessment, the security leaders acknowledged that drug trafficking, fraud, and firearms-related crimes remain priority concerns. Robust anti-money-laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist-financing (CTF) measures, supported by a stable political environment, have significantly limited opportunities for illicit finance, they said.

The joint statement also reaffirmed commitment to tackling organised crime, money laundering, firearms trafficking, and emerging threats related to cybercrime and irregular migration.

PM Browne directs agencies to pursue all leads

The officials referenced Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who chairs the National Security Council, stating that he "has given consistent, explicit, and documented direction that Antigua and Barbuda must never be used—directly or indirectly—as a corridor for narcotics trafficking or related financial crime."

Under that direction, law-enforcement and security agencies are required to share intelligence fully, pursue investigations wherever they lead, cooperate closely with international partners, and take enforcement action without regard to status or affiliation, the statement said.

"Where allegations arise, they are assessed. Where evidence meets the legal threshold, investigations are pursued and arrests are made. The law guides our actions," the officials added.

The four agency heads also called on the population to "remain alert and to report suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities," noting that Antigua and Barbuda continues to work closely with regional and international partners to address evolving threats. Border control agencies and the Defence Force remain "fully engaged and vigilant to protect the nation, preserve the integrity of its financial and border systems, and contribute responsibly to regional and international security," they said.

Source: Google News AG — Crime