Financial Crime World

Antigua and Barbuda: A Haven for Human Trafficking, Arms Trafficking, and Drug Trafficking - An In-depth Look

This idyllic Caribbean nation, known for its stunning beaches and warm climate, has a darker side that remains hidden from tourists. Antigua and Barbuda is increasingly becoming a hotbed for various types of financial crimes, including:

Human Trafficking

  • Tourists unknowingly fuel human trafficking market
  • Criminal syndicates lure victims with false promises of jobs
  • Victims subjected to forced prostitution, domestic servitude, retail work
  • Travel agencies contribute to human trafficking by offering employment and pre-paying travel costs
  • Local law enforcement complicit in hindering investigations or discouraging reporting
  • Children also forced into sexual exploitation
  • Increasing rate of human trafficking in the country
  • Involvement of local law enforcement in human trafficking
  • Expanding scope of exploitation to children

Arms Trafficking

  • Limited evidence, but use of firearms is a major challenge
  • Rate of gun homicides doubled between 2020 and 2021
  • Decline in resources to combat arms trafficking due to COVID-19 economic strains
  • Criminal groups and state actors providing weapons or facilitating gun crime
  • Gang activity on the rise, increasing the likelihood of arms trafficking

Drug Trafficking

  • Antigua and Barbuda is a transit hub for the cocaine trade
  • Strategic location at heart of route connecting drug-producing countries to consuming countries
  • Inadequate border control makes it an attractive destination for drug traders
  • Cocaine and cannabis transported via maritime routes, fishing vessels, large freighters
  • Small quantities of cannabis cultivated locally for local consumption, leading to trafficking from neighboring countries

Consequences of Drug Trafficking

  • Increased crime rates and violence
  • Health and social problems in local communities
  • Negative impact on tourism industry

Conclusion

Antigua and Barbuda’s beautiful shores harbor an unsettling criminal underworld that poses a significant challenge to law enforcement and the government. To combat these financial crimes more effectively, the country needs:

  • Increased resources
  • International cooperation
  • Multi-faceted approach to address the root causes of these crimes