Holness Urges Joint Action as Organised Crime Spreads Through Jamaican Diaspora Networks

WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has renewed his call for stronger cross-border action against organised crime, warning that criminal networks are gaining ground within the Jamaican Diaspora through lottery fraud and the illegal movement of firearms.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, St James, Holness said criminal enterprises are operating across borders more than ever, making joint work between Jamaica and its overseas allies essential.

"A part of that lesson is that the criminal network is connected," Holness said as he reviewed recent gains in bringing down violent crime.

"Please forgive what I'm about to say: the criminals have representatives in the diaspora as well."

He said gangs are stretching their reach outside Jamaica, prompting the Government to deepen ties with foreign administrations and police agencies to break up their operations.

"As they (the criminals) become more transnational … the Government of Jamaica has increased its transnational cooperation with other countries and security forces to make sure that criminals have no place to hide," he said.

Holness identified closer work with the United States as a central part of Jamaica's security approach, saying the relationship has already produced meaningful outcomes.

"We have especially increased our cooperation with the government of the United States, which has resulted in several important initiatives and changes," he said, pointing to recent major arrests tied to lottery scam rings and the unlawful entry of guns into the country.

The prime minister also cautioned that as neighbouring Caribbean territories tighten their own security measures, offenders may look to relocate activity into Jamaica and the wider northern Caribbean.

"We are cognisant that as security operations are stepped up in the Eastern Caribbean, criminals and their networks will seek to divert more into the Northern Caribbean, but we are preparing, and we are prepared for them," he said.

Holness said local security agencies are now in a stronger position to meet shifting threats, noting that national security spending has risen by close to three times over the past ten years while both the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force have grown in size.

He also reported that homicides have dropped by 67 per cent during the past four years, crediting tougher policing, better intelligence work, and deeper international collaboration.

Responding to the prime minister's remarks, Captain Kevin Junor, a former Global Jamaican Diaspora Council member and sector lead on citizens and security, said Jamaicans overseas have long been a positive force for national growth, community development, and crime reduction.

"The overwhelming majority of Jamaicans abroad reject criminality and strongly support efforts to dismantle transnational gangs and illicit financial networks that threaten the country's progress," he told The Gleaner.

Junor added that diaspora figures have for years backed Jamaica through investment, education programmes, mentorship, charitable work, support for at-risk communities, and by reporting people they suspect of criminal involvement to the authorities.

"Many have welcomed increased collaboration with law enforcement and government agencies to ensure that the small minority involved in criminal activities does not tarnish the reputation of the wider diaspora community," he said, while accepting that the problem will not be solved immediately.

"We are working with all partners to mitigate and ultimately eradicate these practices so that we can continue reducing major crimes in Jamaica."