British High Commissioner commits to assist Saint Lucia to alleviate criminal activity

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 – Britain's new High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr Paul Brummell, says he looks forward to continue working with the government and people of Saint Lucia on matters of common interests.

Mr. Brummell says the trafficking of illegal narcotics in and out of Saint Lucia, is one area which will receive special attention.

“There is a lot of evidence to show that criminality is closely linked to the drug trade and so the flow of cocaine from South America through the Eastern Caribbean to countries like the United Kingdom is indeed part of our problem, because cocaine hitting the UK, causes immense economic and social damage to us as well; that's why the UK is very keen to work with Saint Lucia and other governments in the region to combat the flow of cocaine,” Brummell said.

The new High Commissioner says the British government will provide specialised assistance to Saint Lucia in the areas of financial investigation and asset seizure.

“This area of work is important on two fronts: firstly, because it targets the profits of drug traffickers and also because the monies which are seized can be used by the government of Saint Lucia in a very broad-based way to combat crime and its causes and consequences.”

Mr. Brummell met with Prime Minster Honourable Stephenson King, and Home Affairs and National Security Minster, Senator the Honourable Guy Mayers, on Tuesday, January 26.

Mr. Brummel—a career diplomat—will be based in Barbados. He succeeds Mr. Duncan Taylor.

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