Saint Lucia Marine Police Commander Kentry Frederick was among officials from several countries who attended a major anti-crime meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from April 23 to 25.
The Eastern Caribbean Combined Coordination Group (ECCG) meeting discussed increasing coordination to unify action against crime.
According to a United States Coast Guard release, the discussion included human trafficking, human smuggling, arms and monetary instruments exports, environmental crimes, and the movement of illicit drugs within the Eastern Caribbean Joint Operating Area.Â
The release noted, “Transnational Criminal Organizations conducting this sort of malign activity along the maritime approaches to the U.S. Southeast Maritime Border threaten maritime security, the rule of law, and ultimately, regional stability.”
The Eastern Caribbean Combined Coordination Group comprises U.S. interagency and international partners with diverse expertise and authorities.
It aims to deepen cooperation across myriad jurisdictions and against the broad spectrum of threats and challenges in the Eastern Caribbean region.
Agencies comprising the Eastern Caribbean Combined Coordination Group include:
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
- U.S. Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Southern Command, Joint Interagency Task Force South
- U.S. State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
- Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety
- Caribbean Regional Security System
- Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security
- Canada Border Services Agency
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Dominican Republic Navy
- Seaport Cooperation ProjectÂ
- U.K. National Crime Agency
- Coastguard Service of the French Customs
- Royal Saint Lucia Police Force
- Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.Â
