Dominica has been commended by the US for its role in the fight against the international drug trade and transnational organized crime.
In its 2014 “International Narcotics Central Strategy Report” (INCRS), the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, highlighted new legislation enacted by the Government of Dominica to deal with the prosecution of narcotics cases and transnational organized crime.
“Dominica passed several new laws in 2013 that will assist in prosecuting narcotics cases and transnational organized crime, including the region’s first comprehensive civil asset forfeiture law,” the report stated under the section: Country Reports, Eastern Caribbean – ‘Drug Control Accomplishments, Policies and
Trends.’ “The law established a dedicated forfeiture fund, requiring that forfeited funds be channelled to support police, prosecutors, RSS contributions, victim restitution, and drug abuse prevention and treatment. Using the new forfeiture law, Dominica made its first civil cash seizure in September when two Venezuelan nationals were arrested with $17,433 in their possession as they attempted to depart the island. The pair did not contest the seizure, and a judge ordered the forfeiture shortly thereafter.”
The report further stated, “The United States further encourages the seven nations to pass legislation to modernize their criminal codes—making use of regional best practices in fighting transnational organized crime—and lauds Dominica and St. Lucia in their progress in this area. The United States draws special attention to the need to implement civil forfeiture provisions to turn the proceeds of crime into a weapon against traffickers and applauds Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for enacting such legislation.”
The report covers the period January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has pledged to “lead the charge for a safer Dominica”.
He has stated that all Dominicans must play their part to eradicate criminal activity in particular drug and gun related crimes, according to a release from the office of the prime minister.
“I want all of us to stand in condemnation of the drug trade. The drug trade brings guns to our country and guns are responsible for criminal activities…. Therefore it is important for us to put our voices together and have a very loud echo in our commitment as citizens, as a country to stand in defiance and in condemnation of any illegal activity in the country,” the prime minister said.
Acording to the release the Dominica Labour Party Administration views criminal activity as a threat to the prosperity of Dominica and the safety of citizens and visitors.
The Government of Dominica is determined that the country retains its reputation as a friendly, peaceful and law abiding country. Government has taken pro-active steps in the fight against crime, including provision of equipment to the police service, construction of new and upgrading of existing police stations, training of new police officers and enacting legislation to deter criminal activity, the release said.
where is the link to the report??
Some people are just incapable of giving credit where it is due. I know you all don’t like the government but the alternative is ten times worse.
Surely Anonymous, you will understand people”s skeptism. After all this is the same administration that passed a law in 203, put it to sleep for another 5 years, before making it effective, and even after that the same PM through his attorney not only rendered it impotent, but called for all the members of the commission that the law created to resign, just because they wanted to ask the PM some questions.
So tell us my friend, with experience as our teacher, how can we be other than skeptical? I would also ask you are there not laws passed that addresses such crimes as Arson, Attempted Murder, Fire bombing the home of an active police officer’s home? Aren’t there laws passed against money laundering? How come then with these laws in place, are selectively applied, or not applied at all in some cases, even where confessions have been made. Is there selective enforcement of these laws? And so, I believe that there is genuine concern, that despite the passing of the law, the enforcement may be as challenging as the IPO.
DLP must look within it self before taking credit for this drug take is weak.
What a hoax. The govt.’s are the major drug traffikers.
The govt.’s are the big drug traffikers. They make money at both ends preying on fools that buy their wares. What a hoax the media is trying to play on the public.
Let me borrow pas. BJ’s phrase here, “Zore toe sort.” Folks, this is nothing but diplomacy. We need to understand that the politics of the USA is not the maypwee politics of Dominica. It’s a politics where they will let you know how they feel in one breath and next breath they will embrace you all the way to the restaurant for dinner. Just this week the same US had this to say: US says Eastern Caribbean leaders fail to address official corruption
bernama.com – Wednesday, March 5th, 2014 at 9:21 AM. Folks, DOMINICA was one of the seven islands blamed by the US.
The US knows hell is about to break in Venezuela as Venezuelans continue to protest for the resignation of Maduro, on a daily basis. The US is the home of thousands of Venezuelans that fled the country because of the Chavez/Maduro failed policies and they are making their support for democracy heard in the US. The question is not IF the US will intervene but rather WHEN? NowUS knows very well that they are going to be in need of Dominica one way or the other just as President Regan knew he was going to be in need of Dominica to invade Grenada. So Obama is going to give Dominica some kudos to make Skerrit feel good. But the truth is, they (the US) know what they know.
I wonder how come things manage to change so quickly in Dominica’s favor!
Today is the seventh (7th) day of the month: Two days ago we read where the United States; State Department identified Dominica as one of the major islands in the Caribbean where governments of the islands fail to address concerns of official corruption.
They also tagged Dominica, as a transshipment point from which illegal drug enters the United States. Well, if two days ago we were identified as one of the bad guy, how come like a flash of lightening, we have become so effective apprehending drug dealers, and confiscating so much cocaine.
I do not believe this new development not for even one second, if the caption below is correct, then the latter is a lie, something fabricated as usual to give Dominicans the feel good feeling, that all is well and better where it pertains to Dominica!
“US says Eastern Caribbean leaders fail to address official corruption”
March 5, 2014 | Comments: 74
“Political leaders in the Eastern Caribbean (EC) have “largely failed” to address concerns of official corruption, according to a report released by the United States State Department. It said the seven Eastern Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica.”
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
“The ability to read and comprehend is a most stupendous feat of learning” Why do you choose to conflate drug intervention with corruption? The first report spoke to corruption in government whereas the second noted the effort of government in drug intervention.
Well, Warrington if you read carefully, you would have discovered the State Department mentioned both corruption, and the illegal path (shipment) of drugs entering the United States.
You cannot deny that Dominica is considered corrupt, according to that brief. You cannot deny that in the brief it is stated that Dominica is a transshipment port for drugs entering the United States; all of us by now knows for a fact that most of our officials in Dominica (our politicians) are corrupt to their very core!
So what is so wrong with what I said, I reiterate, we cannot be dirty, tagged corrupt, and unconcerned about corruption, and the transshipment of drugs into the United States, one day, and two days latter somebody pile some packages on a table, and commence babbling about U.S. praise Dominica for intercepting drugs or what have you!
If it is a lie; if it is false propaganda, it will revile itself as it has in this claim. view it as you wish, my opinion is firm!
It is a lie, something fabricated, the State Department does not operate in circles, as they do in Dominica.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Obviously you have not read the report to see that Dominica is the only country given strong commendations for its efforts. It is easy to get from the internet. Refer to pages 155 to 157. Furthermore the story you refer to is grossly misrepresented to what the report actually says. But anyway,I guess people like you believe what all you want.
Francisco, your political bias has cloud your mind. You cannot see anything good or positive as it relates to Dominica because the Govt. seems to get the praise. On the other hand, where it is bad or negative you seem to support or highlight. There is alot that is great about our beautiful Dominica. Even in the first atticle you would have seen that Dominica was also praised for its work. Come on, have some love for country.
Yes, correct, you right anything you say oui!
Let me just say this to you, I could care less about Dominica’s politics okay, Dominica’s politics stinks as it is, nonetheless I have no biases against one nor the other. If I deem something appropriate, and wish to support it, that is my prerogative to do so.
When I see propaganda, it does not matter who is the author, I will call the shots as I deem fit. I have nothing to gain politically form anyone in Dominica, I am not looking for anything from any politician in Dominica, that is why I am able to operate above the level of an poppet.
I cannot be bought, I cannot be politically influenced: I have an independent mind capable of thinking, analyzing and form my own conclusion, hence when the stench hits me, detect I feces, based on the way it smells.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
If you are consume by the Dominica Ostrich syndrome, I say more power to you; I am not a Dominica Ostrich!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Any Good Word from the Opposition?
stop acting as a child it’s not a contest no pating on the back is needed we all hope the clean up will continue .. some drugs are bad.
This is self praise from DLP. I guess they did not tell the U.S about the Venezuelans who were let-go after being caught with drugs.
There is no way my PM Skerrit and my DLP can take credit for this even if it is given to them. They know what the US does not know and they know what most Dominicans know about them. So while my PM and my DLP do not take it as a slap in the face, based on what they know and the general public knows they will regard it as warning sign.
What praises ? the big rats continue to steal the cheeze,suck the country dry and firebomb innocent people.
Hope all the people that Dr Fontaine misled in the diaspora are taking noe
it’s because of Dr.Fontaine why your GOVT pull up their sock why do you think PM was so upset when the dream team went on their road trip begining with the USA I would suggest you open your mind read and understand for yourself dont you beleieve big brother USA kept their eyes on us all the time did you think they would give us boats without making sure we are doing the right thing, Now that those in high places benefited from the drug trade they are now talking about cleaning up they have no choice.
Thanks to people like Dr.Fontaine for opening our eyes even if yours remain close.
Whoop Whoop!!!
Interesting! Is this the same government that passed a Integrity in Public Office Act, Created a Financial Intelligence Unit, Supposedly passed a video surveillance act, (or something to that effect), and yet these dysfunctional laws and the institutions they established, have not deterred corruption. In fact it appears that these actions have only emboldened the corrupt practices, and enriched certain lawyers, but no tangible benefits have yet been visible to the people of Dominica, so what is this self serving shout about the passing of property confiscation law?
That law like most other things been done was because of the governments perception, and pronouncement that it was persons who did not share the governments views on various issues, (opposition), that was involved in drug smuggling, and/or beneficiaries of the proceeds of such illegal activity.
What a way to run a country! When those assets of high up officials, who have acquired all these assets which are far beyond the reach of their known legal income, then and only then will there be any confidence in the law and the courts.
In the neantime, don’t be too flattered by this empty gesture, and self serving chest beating about confiscation law passed.
Now where is team Dominica comment on this.Come on guys when something is done rite say it..I can say it as a proud Dominican,well done guys.
Obama my God bless you, after all the bad things skerrit say about America and siding with chavez & Castro Obama still praising Dominica.
Morihei Ueshiba is your post a support of Obama gay marriage endorsements?
The man didn’t say anything about gay marriage. You have a guilty conscience or what? Hmmmm……
Dimitry was born in Obama country not Maduro, inspite of Obama support for gay marriage. It is not our dam business what two men do in there bedroom, Thank you Obama for all you do for Dominica. Obama #1.
In light of this, we want to know what has happened to the coast guard base that was supposed to have been built already in the north of the island.
We want to know what has happened or is happening to this vital piece of infrastructure which is supposed to further assist the fight against the drug trade….
DNO, are you all making any inquiries into that matter?
Thanks to the DLP!!!
yet you guys know all the big drug dealers and the young men are being prosecuted for one smoke,stop the corruption.
I guess the Malaysians got their story straight now, boy dem so called patriots we have in DA eh, now all the people that was mislead or misinformed will have to retract their post.
thanks to them patriots for exposing the ills of D’ica so we can get the help that we need the Govt of D’ica is in the spot light so they have no choice but to do what is needed for D’ica, but it took 14yrs for something good to come out of the drug trade isnt that a shame.
Citizen for change that make no sense cause as they say Dominica was the 1st to take the lead in this so what spotlight u talking about when the other countries they talked about has not done any thing to correct their bad ways, u make it seem like they did it so DA has no choice but to follow. When the truth stare u all in u all face so sad u just cant see they make song they online all over saying the Gov. corrupt so my God if they that corrupt how the hell they are the ones to make a move to cut their throat, same thing with the passport if the man know he selling passport under the table why did he not leave that big old green book we had before he went and put barcode on it so now its easier to track, well that PM there well SOT.