Law enforcement and legal practitioners from the Commonwealth Caribbean region will be meeting in Dominica April, 9 to 10 to pool their experience and knowledge of the best ways to use proceeds of crime legislation.
The 8th annual regional Proceeds of Crime Conference, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), will be hosted and organised by Dominica’s Financial Intelligence Unit.
This year’s conference has 52 attendees from 18 jurisdictions sharing good practice and promoting regional connectivity and cooperation in taking the profit out of crime.
This conference is part of the DFID Caribbean Criminal Assets Recovery Programme (CCARP). CCARP covers the seven independent countries of the Eastern Caribbean, along with Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Montserrat.
The main purpose of CCARP is to help build the capacity and capability of Law Enforcement Agencies, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), Public Prosecutors, the Magistracy and the Judiciary by enhancing their efforts in countering serious organised crime, particularly drug trafficking, by fully utilising the Proceeds of Crime, Cash Seizure and Money Laundering legislations and making financial investigation, and asset recovery, a key component of all acquisitive crime investigations.
CCARP, with its Caribbean partners promotes an innovative approach to tackling serious organised crime across the Caribbean, through pragmatic and robust application of proceeds of crime and money laundering legislations.
Criminals engaged in the business of serious organised crime have one objective, making money. To date, those countries participating in the Caribbean Criminal Assets Recovery Programme (CCARP) have removed EC$8,652,145 and in addition, currently have restrained/frozen EC$38,774,796 from criminal organisations across the region (figures exclude Jamaica).
Taking money and assets away from criminals provides the opportunity for this money to be reinvested in the criminal justice system, helping and supporting those most affected by crime and providing facilities for young people, thereby making the region a safer place and benefitting local communities.
Prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit is expected to address the opening ceremony of the conference.
I hope this does not turn out to be just another conference. I hope and pray that what ever strategies that come out of this conference are swiftly implemented. However i have questions. Are we hosting this conference in an effort to keep investigative regional and international agenceies off our backs? It is a publicly known fact that certain members of our police and financial Intelligence officers are the top dogs in drug trafficing in Dominica. Yet they are protected by people in high places. The proceeds of their criminal activities are in plain view for all to see. Well i guess they are the UNTOUCHABLES. Let’s demonstrare to the region and the world that we practice what we preach. Let us thank the Government of the United kingdom for funding this conference, but please let them see that it’s money well spent. Why has law enforcement not moved against the UNTOUCHABLES? Who is protecting who? And Why? And at what cost to the treasury and the general population? Answers please.
Those who are aware of the “untouchables” you refer to should inform the government about it if you expect something to be done. They should be exposed. Otherwise it is all talk and writing and nothing will be done.
In this case, then cease attacking them for you are wasting your time. You should know that the government cannot operate mainly on hearsay and comments. It must be proven.
If you expect something to be done, reveal the facts and give the names of the perpetrators to the proper authorities.
You do know in recent weeks their own have been arrested and charged for criminal activities. You should address the names and crimes of the perpetrators to Inspector Carbon who may not be aware of them at this time. How else do you expect action to be taken?
Lapo whatever…. what are you on boss?? Come out with facts who are UNTOUCHABLES?? The last i heard even Policemen are being arrested and charged, whether is for tiefing or otherwise so who are the ‘UNTOUCHABLES?’ COME ON TALK STRAIGHT!!!!!!!
Section 47 of the Integrity in Public Office Act 2003,of Dominica also deals with illicit acquisitions.
I notice mention of Law enforcement and legal practitioners for this conference. Are representatives of Credit Unions, banks/financial institutions invited? In the efforts of CCARP to “fully utilising the Proceeds of Crime, Cash Seizure and Money Laundering legislations,’ the reps of these finance groups, should be able to contribute something useful to this important discussion.
NO
Nothing like putting a Fox to guard the Fowl cage!
You got that right.