Saint Lucia Cracks Down on Criminal Assets: Asset Forfeiture and Confiscation Laws Tighten Grip on Illicit Gains

In a bold move to combat the proliferation of criminal activities, Saint Lucia has strengthened its asset forfeiture and confiscation laws, making it more difficult for convicted criminals to retain their illegal earnings.

New Regulations and Court Orders

The Director of Public Prosecutions can now apply to the court for one or both of two types of orders:

• Forfeiture Order: against property tainted by criminal conduct
• Confiscation Order: against the individual who benefited from the illegal activity

These amended laws, which came into effect following Act 4 of 2010, introduce specific guidelines for applications. Applications can only be made within a certain timeframe after conviction, and no further applications will be accepted unless:

• New evidence emerges
• The court grants permission due to exceptional circumstances deemed in the interests of justice

Aims and Impact

The goal of this law change is to deprive criminals of their ill-gotten wealth and disrupt the financial structures that support illegal activities. By doing so, Saint Lucia aims to:

• Disrupt the flow of funds supporting criminal organizations • Eradicate criminality by targeting the financial benefits of illegal activities • Send a clear message that Saint Lucia will not tolerate those who profit from illicit activities

This significant move demonstrates Saint Lucia’s commitment to combating criminal activity and protecting its citizens from the harmful effects of crime.