Organized Crime in Antigua and Barbuda: A Comprehensive Overview

Financial Crimes

Despite being a significant offshore centre with a substantial financial sector, there is limited evidence to suggest that local or international organized crime is heavily involved in financial crimes such as Ponzi schemes. This lack of involvement is likely due to the government’s efforts to enact new legislation and comply with international standards to combat money laundering.

Criminal Actors

Foreign actors are suspected of being engaged in drug trafficking in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly individuals from Guatemalans, Jamaicans, and Guyanese. Local criminal networks primarily engage in:

Theft
Car break-ins
Home invasions
Human trafficking

Leadership and Governance

The government has taken a strong stance against organized crime, raising the bar on addressing high-level corruption and general organized crime. Public sentiment about the government is positive, and the democratic process is free of criminal influence.

Criminal Justice and Security

Despite judicial independence, inadequacies in the judicial process have created distrust both within the system and among authorities. The country has only one prison, which is overpopulated and does not comply with international standards.

Economic and Financial Environment

Antigua and Barbuda is a well-known tax haven, with efforts made to enact new legislation to combat money laundering and comply with international standards. The government has mechanisms in place to ensure legitimate businesses can operate without criminal influence.

There are offices that support victims of domestic violence, shelters funded by the directorate of gender affairs, and training for law enforcement officers on preventing human trafficking. The country also has a national education campaign about red flags and trends in organized crime and human trafficking.

Cooperation with International Partners

Antigua and Barbuda is party to all relevant international treaties and conventions pertaining to organized crime, cooperates effectively with its international counterparts over security issues, and is known to cooperate with regional counterparts in attempts to eradicate criminal markets, especially human trafficking.