Financial Crime World

Organized Crime in Antigua and Barbuda

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General Context

Antigua and Barbuda is a small island nation located in the Caribbean, with a population of around 97,000 people. The country has a relatively stable economy and a high standard of living.

Key Points

  • Population: 97,000
  • Economy: Relatively stable with a high standard of living

Organized Crime Threats

Human Trafficking

Antigua and Barbuda is a transit point for human trafficking, particularly from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

  • Types of trafficking:
    • From Jamaica
    • From the Dominican Republic
  • Consequences: Human trafficking has severe consequences on individuals, including physical and emotional harm, and exploitation

Drug Trafficking

The country is a transit point for cocaine and marijuana shipments from South America to North America.

  • Types of drugs:
    • Cocaine
    • Marijuana
  • Sources: South America
  • Destination: North America

Money Laundering

Antigua and Barbuda is known as a tax haven, which makes it vulnerable to money laundering.

  • Money laundering regulations: Strengthened in recent years
  • Tax haven status: Attractive to financial institutions but vulnerable to money laundering

Criminal Justice System

Corruption within Law Enforcement

There are allegations of corruption among police ranks, particularly related to bribery.

  • Types of corruption:
    • Bribery
  • Consequences: Undermines public trust in law enforcement and undermines efforts to combat organized crime

Inadequate Prison Facilities

The country’s only prison is overcrowded and does not meet international standards.

  • Prison conditions: Overcrowding, inadequate facilities
  • Impact: Negatively impacts rehabilitation of prisoners and contributes to recidivism rates

Economic and Financial Environment

Money Laundering Regulations

Antigua and Barbuda has strengthened its anti-money laundering laws and regulations in recent years.

  • Regulations: Strengthened in recent years
  • Impact: Helps prevent money laundering and maintains financial integrity

Tax Haven Status

The country’s tax haven status makes it attractive to financial institutions, but also vulnerable to money laundering.

  • Tax benefits:
    • Attractive to financial institutions
  • Risk: Vulnerable to money laundering

Civil Society and Social Protection

Victim Support Services

There are limited victim support services available, including shelters for domestic violence victims.

  • Services:
    • Shelters for domestic violence victims
    • Limited other support services
  • Impact: Fails to provide adequate support to victims of crime

Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts

Antigua and Barbuda has taken steps to increase anti-human trafficking efforts, including training law enforcement officers and creating a national education campaign.

  • Efforts:
    • Training for law enforcement officers
    • National education campaign
  • Impact: Helps prevent human trafficking and supports victims

International Cooperation

Regional Cooperation

Antigua and Barbuda cooperates with regional partners to combat organized crime and human trafficking.

  • Partnerships:
    • Regional partners
  • Goals: Combat organized crime, human trafficking

International Partnerships

The country works with international organizations, such as INTERPOL, to share intelligence and coordinate efforts against organized crime.

  • Organizations:
    • INTERPOL
  • Goals: Share intelligence, coordinate efforts against organized crime