NCJ Number
221039
Date Published
2007
Length
224 pages
Annotation
This study examined the nature, seriousness, and scope of organized crime on St. Maarten (one of the Leeward Islands of the Netherlands Antilles), as well as what is being done to counter it.
Abstract
The study found that organized crime does exist on St Maarten, which stems largely from drug trafficking. St. Maarten plays an important role in the transportation of various types of drugs, since it is located in a transit area between drug-producing and drug-consuming countries. People of different nationalities on the island are involved in drug trafficking and work together in a more or less organized manner. This includes both ongoing organized networks and ad hoc cooperation for a short term. Financial and economic crimes accompany drug trafficking. Other organized criminal enterprises, such as trafficking in humans, also exist on St. Maarten, but there is little information on these activities due to the limited number of criminal investigations into these activities. Regarding efforts to counter organized crime on St. Maarten, progress has been made in legislation, regulation, and law enforcement. Over the past few years efforts to address organized crime have increased, but at the time of this study (2006), the impact of these new policies was not evident. A total of 25 authorities at the local level, within the Netherlands Antilles, and on an international level have responsibility for preventing and combating organized crime. Collaboration among these agencies occurs in joint investigations; however, there is no ongoing, clearly defined structure for cooperation. This leaves room for individual agencies to develop and pursue their own prevention and enforcement efforts. There is also a shortage of trained personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to identify criminal methods and develop appropriate investigative tools and techniques for combating them. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 121 references