Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling for stronger international cooperation to combat organised crime, warning that criminal networks involved in lottery scamming and firearms trafficking have established links within the Jamaican diaspora.
Speaking Thursday at the opening of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, St James, Holness said organised crime has become increasingly transnational, making collaboration with international partners essential.
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“A part of that lesson is that the criminal network is connected,” Holness said while highlighting Jamaica’s recent progress in reducing violent crime. “Please forgive what I’m about to say: the criminals have representatives in the diaspora as well.”
According to the prime minister, criminal organisations are extending their reach beyond Jamaica’s borders, prompting the government to strengthen ties with foreign governments and law-enforcement agencies to disrupt their activities.
“As they become more transnational, the Government of Jamaica has increased its transnational cooperation with other countries and security forces to make sure that criminals have no place to hide,” he said.
Holness pointed to enhanced collaboration with the United States as a key component of Jamaica’s anti-crime strategy, noting that the partnership has contributed to several major initiatives and high-profile arrests involving lottery scamming operations and illegal gun trafficking.
He also warned that intensified security operations in parts of the Eastern Caribbean could force criminal groups to shift their activities toward Jamaica and the wider northern Caribbean.
“We are cognisant that as security operations are stepped up in the Eastern Caribbean, criminals and their networks will seek to divert more into the Northern Caribbean, but we are preparing, and we are prepared for them,” he said.
Holness noted that government spending on national security has nearly tripled over the past decade and that the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Defence Force have expanded their ranks to address evolving threats.
He further revealed that homicides have declined by 67 percent over the last four years, attributing the reduction to stronger policing, improved intelligence gathering and closer international cooperation.
Responding to the prime minister’s remarks, Captain Kevin Junor, former Global Jamaican Diaspora Council member and sector lead for citizens and security, stressed that the vast majority of Jamaicans living abroad have consistently supported national development and crime prevention efforts.
“The overwhelming majority of Jamaicans abroad reject criminality and strongly support efforts to dismantle transnational gangs and illicit financial networks that threaten the country’s progress,” Junor told The Gleaner.
He noted that diaspora communities have partnered with Jamaica through investments, educational initiatives, mentorship programmes, charitable projects and by reporting individuals suspected of criminal activity to authorities.
“Many have welcomed increased collaboration with law enforcement and government agencies to ensure that the small minority involved in criminal activities does not tarnish the reputation of the wider diaspora community,” he said.
Junor acknowledged that eliminating transnational crime would take time but said the diaspora remains committed to working with authorities to reduce major crimes and safeguard Jamaica’s development.
