MARIGOT-President of the Inter-Ministerial task Force against drugs and drug addiction (MILDT) Etienne Apaire at a press conference yesterday at the Princess Juliana International Airport said that he has visited three of the French overseas islands which is Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Martin to introduce the new European Union plan on the prevention of drug trafficking and money laundering. This plan is the new plan which will be implemented for the next four years. Apaire said that there would be better ways in dealing with drug dependencies and medi-care.
Apaire said he also visited the Dutch side Customs (Duane) to see how they operate since he intends to speak with his Dutch counterparts in Holland to find a common ground in dealing with money laundering and drug traffic which is prevalent on St. Maarten/St. Martin. He said even though he had no statistics he felt that based on the location of the Caribbean islands are the key routes used to trafficking drugs to Europe.
"There needs to be improved cooperation between the European countries and the Caribbean to fight against trafficking. This island is on the cocaine route and discussions already began with the Dutch authorities as they are all looking at ways to fight back". Apaire said. Even though the customs on the Dutch side is doing a pretty good job more has to be done in terms of cooperation and justice.
He said while it is difficult to identify concrete evidence of money laundering, fiscal statutes to facilitate the practice on the island and a judiciary treaty needs to be put in place to work on this problem.
He added that there needs to be special ways to deal with St. Maarten/St. Martin since there is an open border.