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Chang wants CARICOM to blunt transnational crimes

Published:Wednesday | May 17, 2023 | 1:33 AMAlbert Ferguson /Gleaner Writer
Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang (centre), greets Earl Harris (left), assistant director of strategic services with the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), during the 26th meeting of the CARICOM Standing Committees
Albert Ferguson
Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang (centre), greets Earl Harris (left), assistant director of strategic services with the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), during the 26th meeting of the CARICOM Standing Committees of Chief of Immigration and Comptrollers of Customs at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James yesterday. Looking on is Andrew Wynter, CEO at Jamaica’s Passport, Immigration and Citizens Agency.

WESTERN BUREAU:

NATIONAL SECURITY Minister, Dr Horace Chang, says CARICOM is facing an increasing threat from persons involved in the peddling of illegal drugs and uncustomed goods, and wants the matter addressed through passengers’ name records.

Chang, who was delivering the main address at yesterday’s 26th CARICOM Standing Committee of Chiefs of Immigration & Controllers of Customs meeting in Montego Bay, St James, said the deployment of passengers’ name records will be important in tackling the problem.

In the air transport sector, passengers’ name record is a generic term for records created by aircraft operators or their authorised agents for each journey booked by or on behalf of any passenger.

“This meeting must therefore seek to maximise the opportunity to advance the implementation of recommended standards and practices for passenger data exchange, such as passenger name records (PNR) and advance passenger information (API),” said Chang.

CLOSE LOOPHOLES

He said that if the desired result is to be achieved, all stakeholders must be on the same page, to close all loopholes now being exploited.

“We must have agreement on the mechanisms to support data collection, information security, and minimum standards for governance and controls to support the sharing of information,” explained Chang, adding that the minimum data collection criteria should be determined by worldwide norms for citizens’ rights.

“The advancements we have made as a region, in the digitisation of processes that support customs operations, must be maintained, and opportunities for linkages must be identified and implemented,” added Chang.

SPREADING TO OTHER REGIONS

Chang said the movement of contraband through the region is not only impacting the Caribbean, but spreading into other regions, especially in cases where major criminal organisations are involved.

“It is not only challenged by the importation of illicit commodities, illegal firearms, and ammunition, but also by the transshipment of these illicit goods, which feeds into a much larger network of criminal operations,” explained Chang. “These illicit goods, which feed into a much larger network of criminal operations, have far-reaching consequences for our people.”

Jamaica’s Minister of National Security also called on regional immigration and customs officers to build seamless border control systems to blunt the activities of those involved in transnational crimes.

“As a community, we must continue to organise, pool resources where possible, and integrate systems that will allow us to leverage information and intelligence in order to improve regional security cooperation,” noted Chang.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com