Commissioner C.G. Walwyn and A.C.P. Queeley return to federation after attending the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) 2013 in Russia

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (June 11, 2013) — The 30th Edition of the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, World Trade Centre, Moscow, Russia during the period of 5-7 June 2013. The theme of the Conference was “World Against Drugs.”

The conference was jointly chaired by Director Victor Ivanov, Head of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (RFDCS) and Director Michelle Leonhart of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The Conference attracted over 1500 delegates from across the world; representing over 100 countries. The group interactions were conducted in the form of Plenary Sessions, Panel Discussions and Working Groups Meetings (divided by geographical areas).

The Federation’s two senior law enforcement executives actively participated in the Conference. CoP Walwyn lead a strong discussion on criminal activities relative to the Narco-Trafficking trade and its effect on Caribbean nations. The CoP used the opportunity to highlight some of the crime fighting initiatives implemented in the Federation to reduce gang- related activities and the fear of crime through the use of intelligence lead policing. Further to the success of the initiatives was the mutual cooperation and inclusion of the Joint Security Forces which includes Customs Enforcement, the SKN Defence Force and the Coast Guard.

ACP Queeley was the Chair of the Caribbean Working Group Session. The Caribbean perspective which consisted of 26 nations and territories, from Bahamas in the North, Suriname in the South, Barbados in the East and Belize and Jamaica in the West, was presented to the entire body of the Conference. ACP Queeley’s presentation focused on the Progress Against Regional Drug Trafficking Targets (PARDTT), and an overview of some of the emerging threats to, and operational successes in, the Caribbean Region.

The Conference delegates were addressed by high level government officials who pledged their political support in combating Drug Trafficking. Chief among these high level officials was President Vladimar Putin of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia, Russian Minister of Internal Affairs; Nkosinathi Mthethwa, Minister of South African Police Service and Liu Yanping, Deputy Minister of Chinese Public Safety.

The Conference was deemed an overwhelming success.

The conference delegates voted to support IDEC 2014 which is scheduled to be held in Rome, Italy and Colombia.