Prime Minister Gaston Browne & ONDCP Director Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft (photo from Observer Media)
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) could be disbanded if the agency fails to improve its performance and demonstrate its relevance to Antigua and Barbuda.
Browne issued the warning directly to ONDCP Director Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft during a recent meeting with the heads of the country’s law-enforcement and national-security agencies.
“As far as I’m concerned, ONDCP in particular is becoming an irrelevant institution, and you now need to show your relevance to the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne said.
The Prime Minister also took issue with what he described as a half-day working arrangement at the agency, saying such a practice was inappropriate for an organisation tasked with serious law-enforcement responsibilities.
“Your team at ONDCP, they need to step up,” Browne said. “This idea that they’re working half a day, that is totally inappropriate for a law-enforcement entity.”
He then delivered a direct ultimatum to Croft.
“If you do not get your act together, I’m going to disband the ONDCP,” Browne said.
The warning places renewed attention on the operations of an agency that plays a key role in Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to combat serious financial and organised crime.
Established as an independent law-enforcement agency under the ONDCP Act of 2003, the organisation also serves as the country’s national Financial Intelligence Unit.
Its mandate extends beyond drug enforcement and includes investigations into drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud and the financing of terrorism.
Through its Financial Intelligence Unit, the ONDCP receives and analyses suspicious-activity reports submitted by financial institutions and other entities. The agency also has responsibilities relating to compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements.
Browne’s comments signal that the agency could face significant changes if the government does not see improvements in its operations and overall effectiveness.
PM Browne making that leather belt clap BAP! BAP!! Will put some licks in r u tail part if y’all don’t perform..
PM Browne, please think before you speak. We are already under pressure to get our act right (including the areas under the supervision of Colonel Croft) so please tell the nation how we would benefit from a dissolution of the ONDCP.
Proper working environment is important to get the best out of workers. PM, please deal with and treat the “cause” rather than focus on the symptom. Or is it that you are scared when you look in the mirror?
I don’t doubt that the ONDCP works, but even I have to question some of their actions. Anyone who has ever done any shipping with Amerijet can tell you that something is OFF at Cargo. A certain owner of a freight forwarding company enters the warehouse at will and unchecked. That person’s shipment (won’t say his or her) is taken off the aircraft first and most times goes straight to a waiting truck or a separate part of the warehouse. And this is before the sniffer dogs and ONDCP/Police officers even arrives on the scene.
Now I am not saying that there is anything happening, but that to me looks very suspicious. I see customs going through other shipments and that person’s shipments are never checked.
All I am saying is that things need to be tightened up at airport Cargo. The rules, regulations, and policies are there but only enforced depending on who you are.
Gassy on a role.
WOIIIII Gassy is the best