Organised crime seen as big business

Crime, and in particular organised crime, is often viewed by criminals as a business, and the whole idea of getting caught is just seen as an “occupational hazard”.

While delivering remarks at the opening of a two-day Proceeds of Crime Judicial Symposium held at the Barbados Supreme Court earlier this week, British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Victoria Dean, noted the above, while stressing the need for the enforcement of proceeds of crime legislation across the Caribbean.

“The predominant reason why people commit crime is to make a financial gain, and it is often the case that the potential financial reward far outweighs the risk of being arrested, prosecuted and punished.

“Criminals regard being caught as an occupational hazard, and are quite prepared to pay a fine or serve a term in prison, knowing full well that their assets will not be affected,” the British High Commissioner reasoned.

Noting that South America, Central America and the Caribbean suffers greatly from organised crime, mainly drug trafficking, she pointed out that this has brought with it an increase in violence, particularly involving guns.

“Crime and violence deters investment, especially when the economy is mainly reliant on tourism and it hinders development,” Dean stated.

Acknowledging that there are significant challenges that small countries face as they commit precious resources in taking the fight to criminals involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, Dean however noted that the UK Government, through the Department for International Development funded Caribbean Criminal Assets Recovery Programme (CCARP),  has made a commitment to support law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to confiscate the assets of organised criminals in Belize and Guyana and the Eastern Caribbean, and to seize £5 million worth of the proceeds of crime over the 2011-2015 period. (RSM)