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UNODC launches project entitled Combatting Cash Couriers in the Caribbean and Latin America

February 10 -UNODC launched the project " Combating Cash Smuggling in the Caribbean and Central America by Strengthening Operational Capability and Assisting Effective Implementation of FATF Recommendation 32 on Cash Couriers" with a regional workshop held in Kingston, Jamaica from February 7 to 10. The 4-day event had the participation of the deputy resident coordinator for UNDP in Jamaica, Mr. Mark Connolly as well as the presence of the High Commissioner for Canada Mr. Bernyck.

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Michiel Van Dyk AML Adviser from Vienna Headquarters and Mrs.Connie Williams Regional AML-CTF Adviser for Central America and the Caribbean and is the first in a series of workshops and instances of technical assistance aimed at increasing the operational capacity of target countries to identify, seize and confiscate currency and bearer negotiable instruments being smuggled into and through their jurisdictions.

As highlighted during the opening remarks the illicit cross-border movement of cash and other value commodities, such as gold and diamonds, allows criminals and drug dealers to transport and conceal the proceeds of crime facilitating the financing of transnational criminal organizations.

In the Caribbean and Central American region, have not escaped the negative effects of this global problem, as cash is often smuggled through its borders to finance drug cartels and terrorism. Thus, the importance of this initiative, which aimed at limiting the movement illicit funds and removing the proceeds of crime to effectively reduce the incidence of transnational organized crime and increase cooperation and knowledge and intelligence sharing amongst institutions.

During the sessions the participants had the opportunity to learn more about Cash Smuggling modalities, Money laundering schemes, Profiling and questioning techniques as well as gap analysis of the implementation of FAFT Recommendation 32.

The workshop has participants from different institutions related to border management and law enforcement such as: Police, Financial Intelligence Units, Customs and Public Prosecutors Office. Moreover participants interacted with their counterparts from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis and Jamaica in a regional forum that enabled them to draw on their experiences and contribute to interesting discussions and the identification of common challenges.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada aims to assist target counties to strengthen their operational capacity to seize, confiscate currency and bearer negotiable instruments being smuggled   and to foster cooperation at the regional level for effective action to tackle drug trafficking, terrorism and related organized crime   .

For more information:

IMOLIN https://www.imolin.org/