TT ranks 96 in world drug trafficking

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO is ranked 96th among the world’s top 100 nations plagued by the scourge of international drug trafficking while the Cayman Islands has the dubious honour of heading this list. According to the latest statistics from Nationmaster.com, which conducts socio-economic profiles on all countries worldwide, TT was described only as a “transhipment point for South American drugs destined for the United States and Europe and a producer of cannabis.” The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website meanwhile states that “drug traffickers face severe penalties in TT” and “the authorities are very alert to the carriage of illicit drugs of any kind and checks are thorough.”

In stark contrast, the Cayman Islands was described as an “offshore financial centre; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe; Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for European and South African markets.” Antigua/Barbuda is 12th on the list as “a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US” but considered “significant as an offshore financial centre.” The US holds 13th position as a major consumer of heroin, marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine, an illicit producer of stimulants and depressants and centre for money-laundering. Mexico is steady in 23rd position as “the primary transhipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America” while Haiti is ranked 47th and described as a favourite for Colombian drug traffickers plying their trade to the US and Europe.

Jamaica is ranked 56th and here “corruption is a major concern” with cannabis being the illicit drug of choice and “substantial money-laundering” facilities reportedly thriving there. Barbados has a lesser profile in 68th position as a transhipment point for drugs to Europe and an offshore financial centre. Cuba is 79th as its territorial airspace and waters provide a transshipment zone for cocaine to the US and Europe but the Castro regime has established the death penalty for certain drug-related offences. The Caribbean nations of St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts/Nevis, Anguilla and Montserrat are ranked below TT from positions 97 to 100 respectively. Interestingly, South Africa is ranked 92nd and described as the “world’s largest market for illicit methaqualone” which enters the country illegally from India through various East African countries. TT and South Africa have had diplomatic relations since January 10, 1995 and earlier this month, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced that former government minister Donna Carter would be TT’s first High Commissioner to South Africa.