National Security Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore has said there will be tighter security in Dominica’s waters to more effectively guard and protect its borders from criminal activities.
Blackmoore who made that statement while speaking as a guest on state-owned DBS Radio’s “Talking Point” Programme on Thursday believes that the illegal firearms and drugs seized recently at Silverlake and Newtown by police got into Dominica through its waters.
“That is why we have to have this holistic approach towards addressing that situation, not only on the ground but on the sea and looking at decentralizing our coast guard operations, also setting up shop in the northern part of the country so that you can properly and more effectively guard and protect your borders for the purpose of actually intercepting the criminals with whatever they may have before it get to our shores,” he said.
According to Blackmoore, he has full confidence in the police and their ability to properly investigate matters such as the Silver Lake gun find.
“One of the wonderful things of the democratic system is that we ought to have systems in place and even if you suspect that it may be somebody, you cannot just go and hold the person without having reasonable proof to do so,” he said. “As I have been advised it is a situation whereby investigations are continuing for the purpose of trying to identify to make a linkage between what the police think and what it actually is.”
He added, “Going forward I hope we can continue to see the police going after those guys, descending on those guys and as I had said before the problems that we have is not unique to Dominica.”
On Saturday, February 20, 2016, police seized 24 rounds of 40-calibre ammunition, 30 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, one AK-47 magazine, one Uzi Submachine magazine and three 9-mm magazines, along with a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana locked in a public convenience at Silverlake.
Following that successful operation on February 23, the police also seized five firearms at Newtown.
Unlike cannabis that is often grown locally the “heavy” drugs like cocaine and heroine are usually brought into Dominica from other nations. Where drugs are being sold there are often illegal guns for sale and the guns are usually brought from afar.
Minister Blackmoore understands nothing in the war against drugs and guns is more important in Dominico than to secure your coasts. The coast guard is your first line of defence. Stop the drugs and guns at the point of entry! Keep them off the island. Arrest these peddlers of death before they get to our Canadian borders.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Beautiful scenery, beautiful waters and beautiful boat.
Due to tightened security, I hope you will now be able to quickly catch the drug traffickers and deter them from using Dominica waters for their evil, illegal drug trafficking.
So much in Dominica worth fighting for
So much worth protecting
Nothing more important than your boys and girls
Stop passing the blame and start being the man or woman you were created to be.
I see so many people blaming the PM or his ministers, or blaming the police, the parents, or the schools. But when somebody steps forward with a plan and is prepared to take on one of the evils of the day you dare to criticise and bad mouth that person. Yet you yourself do nothing and never have done anything but flap your jaws.
So much in Dominica worth fighting for
So much worth protecting
Nothing more important than your boys and girls
Stop passing the blame and start being the man or woman you were created to be.
I see so many people blaming the PM or his ministers, or blaming the police. But when somebody steps forward with a plan and is prepared to take on one of the evils of the day you dare to criticise and bad mouth that person. Yet you yourself do nothing and never have done anything but flap your jaws.
There are three kinds of people.
(1) Those who make things happen.
(2) Those who watch things happen.
(3) Those who ask “What happened?”
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Really talk
Nice try Blackie i\’ll tell you what you can do it\’s very simple; restore the MORALE, INTEGRITY and LEADERSHIP QUALITY of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force and everything else will fall in place.
Legalize marijuana and half the battle is won!
Too much time spent on just marijuana so Coke and guns slip right thru their fingers. It has been figured out.
Dear Mr. Minister, most of the crime that affects us here in D/A is from within. Corruption is the thing that threatens us most at this time. Put the horse in the right place and the cart will carry the goods.
Some of you are crude, rude and disrespectful. Your words do not provide encouragement. You love to criticize. It appears you do not love your country and its safety. Those are ungodly, non-caring traits.
You know Dominica is a place where sometimes it rain for many days, as well as the sun can be shining brilliant, on any given day while it is poring rain simultaneously.
The rain suddenly stops, and within minutes the earth becomes dry. Such are the words of Blackmoore, each time he runs off his mouth his saliva becomes dry’s in his his words, and blown away by the wind without any result; he relaxes for a few moments, and returns with more garbage!
How much tighter security can you impose on the waters off Dominica, when the vesicles given to your government to patrol the areas of importation of drugs, and other smuggled contraband into the country were never put into use. Even when a Venezuelan vesicle was captured loaded whit cocaine in Dominica’s water.
The operators of the ship was arrested, only to be set free, along with their boat and its cargo of cocaine!
Who do you believe you are talking that pile rubbish to? Shut up; boy we don’t want to hear you!
I have been calling for years now for the establishment of a Dominica Immigration and custom service to be a separate department from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Service but no one listens. Such a department must be part of the National security Ministry and must be given broad powers to operate within the auspices of the laws of the land. Such a unit must work in tandem with the police when necessary. We have kept so much of the old structures we inherited fro British colonialism, most of which no longer suit our needs in todays environment. We have tons of very intelligent young men and women we could put in uniform and who could be of valuable service to our country in this and many other areas of national importance yet we continue to bray incessantly and nothing is ever achieved. It’s time to act in the best interest of our fellow citizens and our beloved country.
If someone wants to see journalism at its worse cone to Dominica. The host did not have the heart to ask Blackmore about the money that was given exclusively for the coast guard base and the ground breaking ceremony fir the same base. What about the patrol boats that was also given and us currently sun drying.
But then again how could Venezuela give us almost free fuel and then we use the fuel to run American donated patton boats to hunt down drug shipment involving Venezuelans in high office.
Lang Mama have inside scoop
If there was a release of the sensus there would be knowledge of the number of unemployed persons & they could be helped. Maybe then they wouldn’t resort to drugs or getting guns to sell
fix the povery rate in d country first before you fight crime fight the cause .
we are loosing our sweet country thru you’ll administration, whats in the dark most come to light tyad lie about our economy wen all you know you’ll are d cause #hypocrites . may the most high father guide us we have a long way to go its just the start. I Love Dominica But wolf in sheep cloven are killing our country slowly but surely #ImOut #HaveAhBlessDay
tel blackmore to take that magistrate to a therapist he talking about water….how about security for kids from dem rapist
“National Security Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore has said there will be tighter security in Dominica’s waters to more effectively guard and protect its borders from criminal activities.”
De new US ambassador effective boy!!!!
But……..de story begins with protecting our borders and it has a pic of a patrol boat.
yest de focus of de minister speech is silver lake and newtown.
Talk talk talk..it do already….
I have realised that this present government have marginalize the effectiveness of the customs department!I have never heard MR Blackmore mention the Customs department as part of enforcement and border control.Instead he have considered this department null and void.If he had his way he would definitely erase the customs department as part of enforcement and border control.I think as it stands if the minister would inspire or allow customs be as it suppose to be(part of enforcement and border control) manned the department with the tools necessary for effective work output , cement a strong coalition between the different agencies and intelligence base operations ,border control could be more effective .
Could not have said it any better. But, all that is greek to these so called politicians. They refuse to allow law enforcement of all types to do their jobs without interference. We all know the reason now..
Always Assertive!
Where is the US 3 million?
Always Assertive!
Dear Hon Minister, I wish I had much more space on this medium to make my point and to add my piece in helping to protect our homeland. I think the time is right to give honest consideration to setting up a Dominica Coast Guard, separate and distinct from the CDPF. A service like this, dedicated to protecting our territorial waters, marine resources, fishing rights, search and rescue, IMO obligations, trade routes, etc., etc., would not have to share critical human resources with an already over-stretched Police Force. A Dominica Coast Guard will also create career opportunities for officers and help them build needed expertise in marine administration. Too often, the coast guard regime [currently operated by the Police Marine Unit] does not provide serious career opportunities as an Officer can be transferred to another Police outfit at anytime. A professional Dominica Coast Guard can ensure a presence at strategic locations on land and in water as they will have internal control
That will never happen too much political involvement in the police force
That’s all they good for is running their mouth with no action.
Mr. Minister, what about revising the laws in order to penalize perpetrators with custodial sentences instead of allowing them to pay a small fine when found guilty. What is going to deter these criminals if they know that if caught they can more than afford the small fine afterwhich, they will continue with their ill doings.
You have the nerve to use the name ISIS, knowing their reputation?
This is a good move.
Once the prosecutors treat Venezuelans same as other people when caught with drugs , then it will work
More talk….no action.
blackmoore, you doh tired talk rubbish. build the coast guard base in portsmouth and then you will see results.
Dominica will be like jamaica soon if these people are not stopped as soon as possible ,,,font st jean ,stow and grand bay waters should be looked into…another coast guard boat is needed…