Heads of law enforcement agencies from 35 countries are in The Bahamas for the 26th Interpol Americas Regional Conference, to discuss strategies on how to combat transnational crime.
The focus of the conference will be the “significant threat posed by transnational organized crime and the associated increase in violence”.
President of Interpol Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi said the conference will also deal with optimizing the services Interpol offers and “fostering greater collaboration to meet your needs and goals, and we’re here to listen – to hear directly from you”.
The three-day conference is being held at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said the need for a shared, coordinated response to crime has never been more critical.
“Our collective success depends on our ability to work together, pooling our resources, intelligence, and best practices,” he said.
“This shared approach strengthens our capacity to anticipate, prevent, and respond to criminal activities that threaten the safety and stability of our nations. By aligning our strategies and deepening our cooperation, we not only enhance our national security efforts but also contribute to the overall security of the region.
“The Bahamas recognizes the importance of this collaboration. We have invested in advanced technology, reinforced our legal framework, and enhanced our law enforcement capabilities.
“However, these efforts are only as strong as the partnerships we build with our international counterparts. Our shared commitment to safeguarding our societies is what makes this conference, and our continued cooperation, so essential.”
Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said the threats such as transnational crime, terrorism and cyber threats, are too great for any one country to confront alone.
“Our strength lies in our unity, in our ability to share knowledge, resources and strategies,” she said.
Crime“Interpol’s Global Crime Trend Report shows that cybercrime is escalating worldwide, and stronger cybersecurity and global cooperation are needed to combat it,” Al-Raisi said.“To address these challenges, Interpol has implemented strategic initiatives. Since the last regional conference, we completed the Cybercrime Capacity Building Project in the Americas, which was funded by Canada.
“Reaching more than 700 officers in your region, this project strengthened the ability of 35 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to fight cybercrime. By providing advanced training, technical support, and resources, Interpol ensured that law enforcement across the Americas is well-prepared to prevent, detect, and investigate cybercrimes effectively.“
Al-Raisi said Interpol’s Operation Lionfish Hurricane seriously damaged the transnational organized crime networks behind drug trafficking across the Americas and the Caribbean.
“The operation led to the seizure of 615 tons of drugs, worth $1.6 billion. There were 206 arrests in 31 countries.”
He said another operation, lead by Interpol and CARICOM, resulted in the seizure of more than 10 tons of cocaine, 2.5 tons of cannabis, and 350 firearms.
There were more than 500 arrests across 16 countries in the Caribbean, he said.
“These operations show the wide reach of transnational organized crime networks and the outstanding work of your officers,” he said.
“By continuing to work together like this, we can effectively fight this crime and bring those responsible to justice. This week, we come together to address this critical issue and to prioritize the most vulnerable, including victims of human trafficking, who are forced into modern-day slavery and exploitation.“
Interpol is an inter-governmental organization with 196 member countries that helps police in those countries work together.
To do this, Interpol enables them to share and access data on crimes and criminals, and offers a range of technical and operational support.
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Publish date : 2024-09-12 00:30:00
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