KINGSTON – Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, says improvements in the intelligence capabilities of the security forces have resulted in the apprehension of international criminals and suspects who are seeking refuge in Jamaica.
“The fact that our intelligence led us to apprehending them suggests that it is not really a safe place for people to flee, because we will find them if they come here,” he said.
Over the weekend, a former Haitian senator who was being sought in connection with the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, was arrested here.
Head of the communications unit with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, said other people were arrested along with Joseph and that authorities were trying to determine whether they are family members.
Haiti’s foreign affairs minister, Claude Joseph, welcomed the arrest of Joseph, saying that it underscores the fact that “there will be no hiding place for those who are directly or indirectly involved in the assassination”.
Joseph is the second suspect to be arrested in Jamaica. In late October, Jamaican authorities arrested former Colombian soldier Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios.
He was recently extradited by the United States and awaiting another court hearing after being charged with conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and with providing material support resulting in death, knowing or intending that such material support would be used to prepare for or carry out the conspiracy to kill or kidnap.
Major General Anderson told reporters that while Jamaica is not “unique” to the illegal entry of foreigners, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has been working to increase border security.
“Of course, we are not unique in that regard as a country; people will be able to slip in if they have enough money. We know we have a drug for guns trade that plies between Haiti and Jamaica,” he said.
“There are persons who have families on both sides, because that trade has been going [on] for some time. We also have other directions and vectors where persons enter Jamaica’s water and space. I know the Jamaica Defence Force has been doing a lot to stop this and prevent it, but one or two will come in. But, if they do get in, our intelligence largely will point us in the direction of where they are, so we will be able to apprehend them,” he added. (CMC)
