Fighting Drug Trafficking in the Caribbean - Thesis Example

Fighting Drug Trafficking Fighting drug trafficking in the Caribbean (Jamaica and Trinidad/Tobago) Introduction Drug trafficking, in the Caribbean Island, dates back in the early 1970s. Well-established South American cartels have utilized the geographical advantages posed by the Caribbean basin as a transit point between the supply market in South America and the demand markets in the U.S.A, Canada, and Europe as a whole. This multi-billion dollar drug market has lead to strengthening of the alliance between Caribbean crime groups and the South America counterparts. The product of such alliance is socioeconomic problems to the Caribbean citizens. This paper, therefore, seeks to describe drug trafficking, in the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica and Trinidad/Tobago, how it grew beyond its borders to be an international menace, and measures that can be taken to ensure its control. Research question Most existing scholars on this topic tend to discuss only the supply side of the drug trafficking trade. This, however, has led to the notion that Caribbean governments have failed to do their work. Although there is some truth in that notion but, the truth are these countries have little economies meaning funds are stretched making it had to fight a business that is well establish and consumer countries have done little to lessen the business on their side. This paragraph, therefore, seek to elaborate on how both sides the supply and the consumer must all adopt newer policies since the drug traffickers also adapt to newer tactics in their trade. Method and data This research method utilizes qualitative method of analysis. Qualitative method is more suitable since they are proven, reputable and well documented statements. The research design adopted for this paper is that of reading and understanding the whole element of drug trafficking from its history, policies of the war against the crime as well as the countries involve and some of the factors making the crime a factor in those countries. This information was gathered from books, journals and approved international organization websites like the UN center. Information, in these sites, was the most relevant as it described the whole drug trafficking factor and aspects of the trade that has made it be associated with terrorism. Narrative Summary Jamaica is the leading producer and exporter of marijuana, in the Caribbean, though a sizeable amount is consumed locally. This has been due to the Jamaica’s culture of Rastafarianism, which has spread through out the island. Marijuana was introduced to the island in the mid-19th century by indentured laborers from India. Its production is mainly in the Blue Mountains located northeastern part of the island. Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Jamaica, have clearly defined jurisdiction zones. Trinidad in particular lies closely to South America mainland. This proximity has provided excellent conditions for cross border criminal activities leading to the drug trade going past its national jurisdiction. Trinidad Island, as well as the Jamaica, lies on the southern edge of the hurricane belt, meaning the yachting industry thrives, with foreign yachts small and large flocking this island and lying up for extend period. (Mc Greal, 2010). Trinidad, Jamaica, and most of the Caribbean nations at large have comprehensive national policies on criminal justice and crime prevention. However, Jamaica, until recently, was seen to be supporting drug trafficking because they are thought to be connected to the influential and powerfully individuals in politics. The prime minister is also believed to be involved in drug trafficking, and he uses the revenue earned to fund political campaigns. However, with pressure mounted by the international community, and availability of funds such as the Caribbean basin security fund to aid, in the fight against drug trafficking, most countries have responded well with developing of newer policies, and adopting international recommendation on how to fight drug trafficking to aid the fight (Figueira, 2004). Analytical Section Drug traffickers in this Caribbean Island have adopted the “by any means necessary” motto to conduct their business. In an attempt to avoid radar detection, most of the drugs that circulate around the Caribbean enter by sea via fright carriers, yachts, speedboats, fishing vessels and other types of sailing boats. Drug trafficking organization in the Caribbean transport large shipment of cocaine, heroin and marijuana using go-fast and cigarette boats which are made of fiberglass, making them not only fast and easily maneuverable but also lightweight. Smuggling engineers have not been left behind and have gone ahead to create narcotorpedo; a vessel that is submersible and equipped floatable transmitter incase it is detected by the coast guard officials. With enhance security measures and the expansion of U.S border inspection; drug traffickers have become more innovative. Drugs lining registered mail with others mixed with legitimate foodstuff such as seafood and customs officials have discovered liquefied canned products (Figueira, 2004). Crime and gang Violence have increased in most of the Caribbean country over the recent past. Researchers have established that the overall rate of murder, in the Caribbean, stood at an alarming rate, which is higher than any other region, in the world. Antisocial behavior in the Caribbean island and most communities throughout the islands are being transformed into warzones as local gangs seek to expand their revenue producing base to include human trafficking, firearms trafficking and organized crime. Criminal groups have not only proven to be resilient and high tech when protecting their reserved drug turfs against neighboring gangs, but also gone to the extent of deterring law enforces official. Local gangs have also infiltrated school system in the Caribbean as this place is considered as the fertile market in the recruitment of younger gang member. This, however, has lead to the increased violent crimes among the Caribbean youths (Figueira, 2004). Drug trafficking does not only affect the Caribbean population as discussed above, but also the United States population. In the U.S., cocaine trafficking and abuse has continued to deteriorate the safety and health of American citizens. According to drug indicators watch, the use of both cocaine and heroin have remain at a level high, and its distribution and abuse have spread from urban environments to the smaller cities and suburban areas around the nation. This has led to a commensurate increase, in violence associated with cocaine trafficking today and the increase in strength of the ethnic Dominican groups that dominate the retail market of heroin in most of U.S northeastern cities (Haughton, 2011). Preventive measures to should be taken to curb the drug trafficking nuisance in the Caribbean. The operation should be a collective one from both the supplier and the consumer that is the Caribbean and the U.S.A governments. From the 1980’s to 2008, the Caribbean received technical and financial aid from the United States to combat the drug trade. However, the funds were more focused on stopping the cultivation of marijuana and cocaine, in this region, as well as developing an infrastructure necessary to aid in these countries’ police security forces. Two strategies designed to address the trafficking of illegal drugs from the South America en route to the United States via the greater Caribbean include; operation windjammer and Turks where, training of the security personnel and provision of equipment were undertaken. September 2001 U.S terrorist attack presented a challenge in the fight against drug trafficking as the war on drug s became associated with international terrorism. This, however, attracted critics who argued that the U.S. foreign policy has not placed significant emphasis on the demand side of the drug market. Some of the key issues raised by critics include the need for United States to tackle the demand aspect, in order to combat the production market, and the need for a foreign military assistance to the Caribbean region, though others argue it may lead to excessive arm pileup. In 2009, the United States government launched the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative in Trinidad and Tobago. This initiative was not only designed to train, arm, and professionalize Caribbean law enforcement forces, but to boost anti-trafficking efforts, and promote citizen safety partnerships, in the region. However, it also sensitizes the local by creating or promoting local awareness campaigns, in combating drug trafficking in the region (Haughton, 2011). It is believed by many that the United States has been fighting a losing battle as far as war on drugs is concern. There have been calls for change in strategy, in the way the U.S. approach the fight against illegal drugs, which has led to the increase in the overall budget of this nation. Some of the less costly strategies that can be adopted, by the U.S. government, includes shifting resources into programs that work like drug control strategy of the U. S. has always taken the law enforcement approach, where police have conducted arrests, drug seizures, and recorded incarceration of drug offenders, yet not much has changed. Expensive eradication and interdiction campaigns have been undertaken abroad, but this has brought little or no success. Two-thirds of the federal drug control budget, to date, goes into incarceration, interdiction, and law enforcement programs, while vital issues such as treatment, prevention, education and research have continued to be neglected. Therefore, the government needs to accept that the law enforcement program is little effective and should shift to treating drug abuse as a health problem with economic and social implications. The result, therefore, are in public health approaches, which focus on addicts and abusers and not all users. This approach will help cap the ever soaring public health budget. Social services can also be used to reduce the root causes of the abuse, economic strategies to develop alternative markets (Arthur, 2012). United States should focus law enforcement resources on the most dangerous and violent criminals. Half of drug arrests in the United States is due to possession and abuse of marijuana, leaving out more dangerous drug offenders, who abuse hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. The drug war has resulted in the increase in prison populations driving the U.S prison budget to the roof. Incarceration and arrests have also impacted negatively on individuals and family concerned. Correctional system in the United States, therefore, should be less restrictive in allowing family visits to petty drug offenders. This intern may motive ethical behavior among the prisoners concern (Svelke et al, 2012). Another factor that can be implemented is that concerning the economy. International drug control should focus on economic development to undermine incentives that accompany production of drugs, and they should rely more on civilian institutions, not military for the eradication and interdiction. However, people must recognize that reducing drug demand at home is the most significant strategy because supplies will always develop as long as there is demand, and all the international drug control programs are all but part of the strategy (Svelke et al, 2012). Drug abuse can also be prevented domestically by investing in the American youth and providing them with accurate information. This is the most effective way to prevent adolescent drug abuse. Government can do so by increasing funding for after school programs, mentor programs, skills building or job training programs and summer job programs as such programs will keep the youth involved and interested in life. Education requires training by trained educators and health professionals, not the police. Resources should be shifted to programs like the ONDCP media campaign and the DARE programs to help educate the masses about the drug abuse and its disadvantages (McGreal, 2010). The economic situation in the Caribbean countries, Jamaica in particular have also contributed to the worsening situation of drug trafficking, since it has meant only limited resources is available to be channeled towards the fight against drug traffickers. Jamaican ruling party is believed to be financed by drug lords. These situations have called for police and politicians to cover up drug traffickers like in the case of dudus and blake, whom both hail from the constituency of Jamaica prime minister yet it took the law enforcers long to act due to the economic reputation it would have had on the ruling party (Griffith & Munroe, 2004). Conclusion It is necessary for all the countries concerned with fighting drug trafficking to realize that drug trafficking is a complicated issue that should not only be fought on one side, which is the supply side (Caribbean), but also the demand side (United States). The fight must not only focus on law enforcement program, which have been ineffective, but also to the social programs. Reference Arthur H. (2012, February 29). Drug Trafficking Driving Up Crime In The Caribbean an Central America. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from The Gleaner: Retrived from: http://www.jamaicagleaner.com/g;leaner/20120229/ene/end91html Carribbean Remains Drug Trafficking Concern. 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Retrieved April 23, 2012, from Congressional Research: Retrieved: http://www.fas.org.syp/crs/row/R41215pdf. Read More