Financial Crime World

St. Kitts and Nevis: Combating Organized Crime

Summary

St. Kitts and Nevis is considered a high-risk country for organized crime due to its strong bank-secrecy laws, lack of transparency regarding the beneficial ownership of legal entities, and exploitation by organized crime groups through the Citizen by Investment Programme.

Key Challenges

Money Laundering

  • St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to money laundering due to its strict secrecy laws and lack of transparency.
  • This vulnerability allows organized crime groups to launder their proceeds and maintain a facade of legitimacy.

Corruption

  • Corruption is a significant challenge in the country, with systematic corruption and fraud facilitated by the Citizen by Investment Programme.
  • This program has been exploited by organized crime groups to purchase local passports, further exacerbating the problem.

Lack of Transparency

  • The country’s bank-secrecy laws and lack of transparency regarding the beneficial ownership of legal entities hinder efforts to combat organized crime.
  • This lack of transparency makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track and investigate financial transactions related to organized crime.

Inadequate Law Enforcement

  • Despite having some mechanisms in place, St. Kitts and Nevis lacks a dedicated anti-organized-crime unit.
  • This inadequate law enforcement capacity further exacerbates the problem of organized crime in the country.

Efforts to Combat Organized Crime

International Cooperation

  • St. Kitts and Nevis has signed and ratified several international treaties related to organized crime, demonstrating its commitment to addressing this issue.
  • These treaties provide a framework for cooperation between countries in combating organized crime.

Law Enforcement Training

  • The country has received funding from the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union to improve law-enforcement and intelligence-gathering capacities.
  • This training and support will help St. Kitts and Nevis develop the skills and expertise needed to effectively combat organized crime.

Prevention Programs

  • Several prevention programs have been implemented to tackle the root causes of crime and reduce the homicide rate.
  • These programs aim to address the underlying social and economic issues that contribute to organized crime.

Civil Society and Social Protection

Victim and Witness Protection

  • Victim and witness protection in St. Kitts and Nevis is minimal, although these are both considered essential components of a robust justice system.
  • Civil society organizations play a crucial role in advocating for the rights of victims and witnesses.

Prevention Programs

  • Civil society organizations also play a key role in prevention programs aimed at tackling human trafficking, drug consumption, arms trading, and law-enforcement training.
  • These programs help to address the root causes of organized crime and promote community safety.