The only specific reference to police involvement in drug trafficking found is contained in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) 1998, which mentions the 1998 "arrest of a Vincentian police officer in Trinidad in possession of two kilograms of cocaine" (1999).

Although no additional specific examples of police involvement in drug trafficking could be found among the sources consulted, some reports refer to perceived or alleged problems in the police capacity to deal with this illegal activity.

In its report for 1997, the INCSR stated that "a recent change in the top leadership of the police force is a positive signal in the effort to combat drug crime" (ibid. 1998). A report on a 1996 murder and related events that unfolded throughout 1997 refers to another murder, the case of a South African who was jailed in November 1996 after his wife was killed (Outside Nov. 1997). The man was later released, and once back in South Africa he reported having to pay a US$25,000 bribe to then-commissioner of police Randolph Toussaint in order to be released (ibid.). Toussaint reportedly "denied it and has since resigned" (ibid.).

In its reports for the years 1997 through 1999 the corresponding INCSR editions contain the same statement that "in general, eastern Caribbean law enforcement agencies are committed to controlling drug trafficking and working with their U.S. counterparts," they also contain the same reference to "a general lack of public trust in the police" (1998-2000), and in its most recent edition, the INCSR refers to a "pervasive influence of the drug trade" on St. Vincent (ibid. 2001).

In its Freedom in the World 1999-2000 report, the Washington-based organization Freedom House states that "allegations have been made of drug-related corruption within the government and police force, and of money laundering in St. Vincent banks" (26 June 2000). However, the report provides no details on this statement.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Freedom in the World 1999-2000. 26 June 2000. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines." Washington, DC: Freedom House. http://www.freedomhouse.org/survey/2000/reports/country/stvin.html [Accessed 29 May 2001]

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) 2000. 2001. "The Caribbean." Washington, DC: U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2000/index.cfm?docid=889 [Accessed 29 May 2001]

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) 1999. 2000. "Eastern Caribbean." Washington, DC: U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/inl/rls/nrcrpt/1999/index.cfm?docid=921 [Accessed 29 May 2001]

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) 1998. 1999. "Eastern Caribbean." Washington, DC: U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/www/global/narcotics_law/1998_narc_report/eastcarib98.html [Accessed 29 May 2001]

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) 1997. 1998. "Eastern Caribbean." Washington, DC: U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/www/global/narcotics_law/1997_narc_report/carib97_part2.html [Accessed 29 May 2001]

Outside Online [San Francisco]. November 1997. Bill Barich. "The Victim's Wake." http://www.outsidemag.com/magazine/1197/9711wake.html [Accessed 29 May 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases.

Latin American Regional Reports: Central America & The Caribbean [London]. Jan. 1997-Feb. 1998.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1997-2000.

REFWORLD.

Internet Search Engines and Websites.

Note: this list is not exhaustive. Country and subject-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.