Philipsburg:--- The Interpol will be holding a three day conference on St. Maarten from February 28th to March 1st, 2012 at the Sonesta Maho Resort, announced Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson. Interpol is the world's largest international police organization with 190 members. Last year October, St. Maarten became a member of Interpol and is listed as the 189th member country of Interpol.
Henson told reporters on Sunday that the program for the three day seminar was put together by Interpol. Henson further explained that Interpol is presently focusing on online sexual exploitation of children, maritime piracy, human trafficking, and fugitive investigations. These topics he said were discussed in their last meetings in Vietnam when St. Maarten was accepted as a member of Interpol. Henson said St. Maarten being a member of Interpol has given the police an edge on cross border investigations when it comes to the exchanging of information.
During the three day seminar and workshop topics such as medical products, counterfeiting, and pharmaceutical crimes will be expounded upon. Henson said pharmaceutical crimes has become a major threat to public health since many persons have lost their lives after using expired or fake drugs that have been doctored or tampered with. The police spokesman said pharmaceutical crimes have attracted large criminal networks due to the huge profits that are being made. Henson explained that Interpol is of the opinion that pharmaceutical crimes are committed across the borders since they are exporting, manufacturing, and distributing counterfeit and illicit medicines. Henson said the St. Maarten Police Department and Customs will be representing the island. He also confirmed that the Health Minister will be participating in the three day seminar.
