Carib Scope

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  • Police begin destruction of tonnes of seized narcotics

    Police begin destruction of tonnes of seized narcotics

    Barbados law enforcement has launched the Caribbean nation’s largest single drug disposal operation of 2024, with teams working through the end of the week to incinerate nearly 3.5 tons of seized narcotics worth an estimated $56 million on the black market.

    The operation kicked off early Friday morning, marking a major milestone for months of coordinated investigative and interdiction work across Barbados’ security agencies. According to Barbados Police Service spokesperson PC Damian Farmer, the haul set for destruction includes 3,490 kilograms of a range of illegal substances, encompassing cannabis, cocaine, and multiple potent opioids. All drugs included in the disposal have already been processed through the national court system and formally adjudicated as contraband.

    The massive stockpile of illicit drugs was accumulated through a range of law enforcement actions over recent months. Officials confirmed that seizures came from multiple sources: proactive undercover investigations into local drug trafficking networks, routine patrols and inspections along Barbados’ maritime borders and ports of entry, and targeted interdiction operations targeting smuggling rings operating in the region.

    To guarantee full transparency, strict accountability, and public safety throughout the high-stakes disposal process, multiple stakeholder agencies have been brought in to oversee every step of the operation. Senior Superintendent Derek Bobb, a top leader in the Barbados Police Service, leads the oversight team, which includes representatives from the Barbados Defense Force and forensic specialists from the national government forensics laboratory.

    Forensic experts have been tasked with independently verifying the identity and quantity of all substances before they are destroyed, a step designed to eliminate any discrepancy in the official record of the operation. The Barbados Defense Force has also deployed armed personnel to provide continuous security for the disposal site and the transport of drug batches, preventing any diversion of contraband during the process.

    Unlike small-scale disposal operations held in previous years, this multi-day exercise is the first large-scale effort of its kind in 2024, and is expected to be the opening installment of a series of planned drug destruction initiatives. Authorities stressed that large-scale permanent disposal operations serve a critical public safety purpose: removing lethal illicit substances from communities entirely, and eliminating any risk that seized contraband could be reintroduced into illegal circulation on Barbados’ streets.

  • Minister Blackmore clarifies status of missing child Kernisha Etienne case

    Minister Blackmore clarifies status of missing child Kernisha Etienne case

    Nearly three years after 8-year-old Kernisha Etienne vanished in Dominica, National Security and Legal Affairs Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has moved to clear up widespread public confusion around the cold case, addressing growing comparisons to the recently concluded investigation into the suspected murder of 16-year-old Jerbia Paul.

    Speaking at a press briefing held Thursday at the Roseau Police Headquarters, Blackmoore emphasized that the probe into Kernisha’s disappearance remains an active, open file — despite the years that have passed and the fact that her remains have never been officially located.

    Kernisha was first reported missing on June 7, 2022, after a violent incident in the community of Warner. Case details released by investigators lay out a harrowing sequence of events: then 31-year-old Kian Alexander allegedly broke into the home of his uncle, Laurent Joseph Bruno, attacked Bruno with a cutlass, and abducted Bruno’s adopted daughter Kernisha before fleeing into dense, nearby bushland.

    In the immediate aftermath of the abduction, then Police Commissioner Daniel Carbon — whom Blackmoore praised as an exceptionally skilled law enforcement investigator — compiled a full situation report for the minister. Blackmoore shared that Carbon’s professional assessment concluded Kernisha’s body had likely been disposed of and buried in an unmarked, undisclosed location.

    During the initial large-scale search operation, investigators did follow up on a promising tip, but it was ultimately confirmed to be a deliberate attempt to misdirect law enforcement. Even so, the search effort was not entirely fruitless: teams recovered children’s clothing linked to the case during the search.

    Blackmoore explained that the structural challenges of Kernisha’s investigation set it apart from the more recent probe into Jerbia Paul’s death. Most notably, investigators never got the chance to track, apprehend, and interrogate the prime suspect in Kernisha’s case: Alexander was fatally shot by a member of the search team during the initial manhunt, cutting off the most direct source of information about the child’s fate.

    Despite the significant obstacles and the passage of time, Blackmoore offered a formal assurance to the public and Kernisha’s grieving family that the case will not be written off. Any new, credible tip or piece of evidence will immediately prompt the Criminal Investigation Department and other specialized police units to relaunch search and investigative efforts, he said, with the ultimate goal of delivering long-awaited answers to the child’s family.

  • PM Browne Threatens to Disband ONDCP Over Poor Performance

    PM Browne Threatens to Disband ONDCP Over Poor Performance

    The top leader of Antigua and Barbuda has delivered a stark ultimatum to the country’s leading anti-narcotics and anti-financial crime agency: fix persistent performance failures or be dissolved entirely. Prime Minister Gaston Browne publicly levied the warning directly to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft, the sitting director of the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP), during a high-stake gathering with the heads of all national law enforcement and security bodies.

    In blunt remarks to the agency’s leadership, Browne questioned the ONDCP’s ongoing public value, arguing that the once-critical watchdog is at risk of slipping into complete irrelevance for the people of the dual-island nation. “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,” the prime minister stated.

    Beyond the broad criticism of institutional underperformance, Browne called out a widely reported irregular working arrangement that sees ONDCP staff operate on a half-day schedule, a structure he labeled fundamentally incompatible with the demands of frontline law enforcement work. “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.”

    Closing his remarks to Croft, the prime minister reaffirmed the gravity of the ultimatum, making clear that dissolution is on the table if sweeping changes are not delivered quickly: “If you do not get your act together, I’m going to disband the ONDCP.”

    First established under the ONDCP Act of 2003, the agency holds a critical dual mandate for the Caribbean nation. It functions as Antigua and Barbuda’s official national Financial Intelligence Unit, tasked with investigating a wide range of high-risk illicit activity, including transnational drug trafficking, money laundering, large-scale corporate and government fraud, and terrorist financing. It also plays a core regulatory role, collecting and analyzing suspicious activity reports from licensed financial institutions across the country and monitoring sector compliance with international and domestic anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing rules.

  • Indian FIDE Trainer Praful Jhaveri To Coach St Kitts And Nevis Chess Team

    Indian FIDE Trainer Praful Jhaveri To Coach St Kitts And Nevis Chess Team

    A respected Mumbai-based FIDE-certified trainer and arbiter, Praful Jhaveri, has secured a major new appointment: he will serve as both head coach and team captain for the St Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation at the upcoming 46th edition of the global Chess Olympiad, the sport’s most prestigious international team competition. The 2025 Olympiad is scheduled to run from September 15 to 28 this year, hosted across multiple venues in Uzbekistan.

    Jhaveri’s path to this role opened through a strong professional recommendation from International Master Abhilash Kelkar, who previously led the same St Kitts and Nevis national squad at the 2024 Chess Olympiad. Kelkar, who had built a positive working relationship with the federation during his tenure, shared Jhaveri’s instructional chess publications with association leadership, a move that directly paved the way for Jhaveri’s selection.

    Since the appointment was finalized, Jhaveri has already begun full training work with the Caribbean nation’s young squad. In a public statement following the announcement, he noted that the team brings abundant energy and passion to the competition, while the program remains grounded in realistic expectations for the high-stakes global event. “We have already started working together, and what stands out most is the hunger these young players bring to every session,” Jhaveri said. “We are realistic about the challenge ahead of us against some of the world’s top-ranked chess nations, but our entire team is committed to putting forward a strong, respectable performance. For me, the most meaningful outcome would be seeing our unregistered players earn their first official FIDE ratings through their performance here — that would mark a major win for the growth of chess in St Kitts and Nevis.”

    The appointment marks a rare cross-regional collaboration in international competitive chess, where small island nations often partner with experienced international coaches to build their national programs and support emerging local players ahead of the biennial Olympiad.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Fall Short as Kings Survive Dramatic Rain-Reduced Clash

    Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Fall Short as Kings Survive Dramatic Rain-Reduced Clash

    A dramatic, rain-interrupted Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash in Gros Islet delivered one of the tournament’s most nail-biting conclusions, as St Lucia Kings escaped with a last-gasp three-wicket DLS method victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, falling just two deliveries short of a stunning upset from the underdogs.

    The match’s fate was reshaped twice by inclement weather before the decisive final overs. When rain cut short the Falcons’ batting innings after 19 overs, the side had posted 98 runs for the loss of nine wickets. This initially set the Kings a revised target of 84 runs from 15 overs to claim the win. However, a second rain interruption just eight balls into St Lucia’s chase forced another target adjustment, slashing the required total to 52 runs from just eight overs.

    Defending this low, condensed target, the Falcons’ bowlers delivered a devastating performance that put them on the brink of a historic win. By the end of the fifth over, the Falcons had torn through the Kings’ top and middle order, reducing the table-topping contenders to a precarious 21 for six. Shamar Springer led the Falcons’ bowling charge, picking up three key wickets for only 13 runs, while Joshua James supported with two wickets for the same 13-run tally.

    It looked like the Falcons would close out the win when St Lucia slipped further to 33 for seven, still 19 runs short of the required target. But Matthew Forde, who had already dominated with the ball earlier in the match (taking four wickets for 29 runs, including consecutive strikes on Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson in the second over, plus the dismissal of Antigua’s top-scorer Rahkeem Cornwall who made 26), shifted the match momentum with a quick-fire cameo. The batter hit Springer for one four and one six, adding 11 vital runs before being bowled on the very next delivery.

    With the match hanging in the balance, Joshua Bishop and Shadley van Schalkwyk held their nerve to finish the job for the Kings. Bishop remained unbeaten on 12 runs, while van Schalkwyk hit eight not out from just three deliveries, guiding St Lucia to 54 runs for seven wickets with two whole balls still left in the final over. The narrow win sees St Lucia Kings climb to the number one position in the 2026 CPL standings.

    For the Falcons, who fell just short of a shocking upset, solid batting contributions came from Amir Jangoo (23 runs) and Alzarri Joseph, whose aggressive unbeaten 16 runs from the number 10 batting position pushed the Falcons to a total that almost proved enough to claim victory. St Lucia’s bowlers also delivered strong performances: Roston Chase finished with two wickets for just seven runs across four overs, while Bishop picked up two wickets for 16 runs to complement his later winning batting innings.

  • LETTER: Antigua Commercial Bank has being taking the piss of me for more than a month now.

    LETTER: Antigua Commercial Bank has being taking the piss of me for more than a month now.

    In a public letter submitted to highlight unresolved customer service issues, an unnamed account holder has leveled serious criticism against Antigua Commercial Bank, claiming the financial institution has subjected them to unacceptable neglect and unfair treatment for over 30 consecutive days. The frustrated customer, who chose to share their experience publicly to draw attention to persistent gaps in the bank’s customer support system, alleges that their repeated attempts to resolve a pressing banking issue have been consistently ignored or dismissed by bank representatives. What began as a routine banking matter has evolved into a weeks-long standoff, leaving the customer without access to critical services or a clear path to resolution, and prompting them to speak out about their negative experience to warn other account holders of potential similar issues. This public complaint underscores a growing frustration among consumers in the Caribbean banking sector over declining standards of customer care and slow resolution of client concerns.

  • Agriculture Ministry Urges Farmers and Fishers to Prepare for Deteriorating Weather

    Agriculture Ministry Urges Farmers and Fishers to Prepare for Deteriorating Weather

    As a developing weather system is projected to bring hazardous conditions to Dominica starting the night of Friday, August 14, 2026, the island’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy has issued an urgent call for precautionary action from the nation’s farming and fishing communities. Expected to bring strong gusty winds and intense downpours that threaten agricultural production, maritime operations, and community safety, the system is forecast to bring the most severe impacts to the island’s eastern and coastal regions, according to official meteorological advisories.

    For agricultural producers across the country, the ministry has outlined clear, actionable steps to mitigate potential damage. Farmers are instructed to properly secure all critical on-farm assets, including heavy equipment, handheld tools, pre-built farm structures, young seedlings, and other essential supplies. Additional guidance calls for proactive measures to protect standing crops and livestock from the extreme wind and rain that will accompany the weather system.

    Miranda Laurent-Stephenson, an extension officer with the ministry, emphasized that producers working in low-lying, flood-prone areas face elevated risk. She urged these farmers to relocate all livestock to higher, safer ground before the weather begins to deteriorate, and to secure all on-site property well in advance of the storm’s arrival. The advisory also extends to operators of greenhouse facilities, who have been called on to implement all necessary protective steps to prevent structural damage to their high-investment growing spaces.

    Maritime food producers are also facing strict safety guidance: the ministry has advised all fishers and recreational boat owners to avoid all maritime travel through the duration of the weather event, as rapidly shifting ocean conditions are expected to create extremely dangerous sailing conditions. Wynnona Joseph, senior fisheries officer with the ministry, has encouraged the tight-knit fishing community to come together to support one another, helping peers moor vessels properly, secure fishing gear, and move all high-value assets to protected, safe locations away from the coast.

    Beyond the guidance issued to agricultural and fishing groups, the ministry as a whole has urged all members of the Dominican public to remain alert to changing conditions, continue finalizing personal and community preparations, regularly monitor official weather updates from national meteorological services, and follow all instructions issued by local emergency management and relevant government authorities throughout the course of the weather event.

  • Amalgamated Security Responds to Employee Concerns

    Amalgamated Security Responds to Employee Concerns

    A major security provider operating in Antigua, Amalgamated Security Services (Antigua) Ltd., has publicly confirmed that it is working through internal concerns raised by a cohort of its workers, with a public pledge to resolve all outstanding issues in an equitable and expedited manner. The company formally recognized the employee grievances in an official media statement released recently, emphasizing that it views the complaints as a high-priority matter.

    In the statement, the company noted, “Amalgamated Security Services (Antigua) Ltd. is aware of the concerns raised by a number of our employees. We take these concerns seriously and are actively addressing each case.”

    Despite acknowledging the existence of the grievances, the firm has not released any specific information about what the concerns entail, how many workers have stepped forward with issues, or any details related to the individual cases under review. No timeline for a final resolution has been shared, nor have the specific procedural steps the company is taking to investigate and resolve the issues been made public.

    Central to the company’s statement was a reaffirmation of its commitment to its workforce. The organization stressed that employee welfare and just treatment remain core organizational priorities. “The welfare, well-being and fair treatment of our employees are important to us, and we are committed to resolving these matters fairly and as quickly as possible,” the statement added.

    To avoid unnecessary speculation and unrest, the security provider has asked for patience from staff and other stakeholders as it works through the review process. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of those affected,” the company said.

  • Trust is the trade union’s currency

    Trust is the trade union’s currency

    For decades, trade unions have been anchored on a foundational pillar that rarely receives mainstream attention but defines their entire ability to deliver for workers: trust. This intangible bond starts with a core expectation from rank-and-file members: that their elected leadership will prioritize their needs, communicate honestly, and deliver tangible outcomes that improve working conditions. Beyond the member-leader dynamic, this web of trust extends outward to connect unions, their membership bases, and company management, creating the productive working relationship that underpins all successful labor organizing work. When trust is intact, collective bargaining proceeds with open dialogue, workplace conflicts are resolved efficiently, and both the workforce and the employer benefit from long-term operational stability. A stable labor environment, in turn, supports consistent production, higher employee retention, and reduced operational disruption for businesses of all sizes.

    This critical bond of trust does not form by accident; it depends on consistent adherence to a set of core guiding principles, starting with unwavering good faith. Every action taken by union leadership must align with the best interests of members and the broader organization, with no room even for the perception of self-serving decision-making. It must be clear to all stakeholders that personal gain never drives policy or operational choices within the union.

    Collaboration, rather than adversarial confrontation, is widely recognized as the most fundamental pillar of sustained trust. When leaders prioritize conflict over partnership, they erode confidence far faster than almost any other misstep. Undermining cross-stakeholder relationships breeds confusion about inconsistent actions, erodes public and member confidence, and ultimately creates a damaging irony: the very interests and wellbeing of union members that leaders are meant to protect get pushed to the bottom of the priority list.

    Alongside intentional collaboration, authenticity and full transparency are non-negotiable to prevent trust from breaking down. For productive relationships between unions and employer management, union leaders must be included in problem-solving and decision-making processes from the earliest stages, not called on only to rubber-stamp choices that have already been finalized without their input. Building and retaining trust between all parties requires consistent, transparent communication, even when sharing difficult news, uniform application of workplace policies across all employee groups, and a shared commitment to collective goals that benefit both workers and the business.

    This approach is particularly critical for external relationships between unions and employers, including government agencies that set labor policy. Framing union representatives as collaborative partners rather than inherent adversaries has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective strategy to prevent costly, disruptive labor disputes from emerging in the first place.

    Existing industrial relations research has identified six core actionable practices that boost trust across all labor organizations: consistency in actions, proven competence in delivering results, open ongoing communication, empathetic recognition of worker concerns, full transparency around decision-making, and clear accountability for missteps. When union and management leaders master these six behaviors, they create the conditions for cross-team relationships that run smoothly, foster open communication, and overcome shared challenges through collective problem-solving.

    These core principles also align closely with the widely adopted five Cs of trust, a popular leadership and relationship framework that outlines the core traits of a trustworthy stakeholder. The five Cs break down as: competence, meaning the ability to deliver on promised outcomes; consistency, meaning predictable, reliable actions that stakeholders can count on; care, meaning demonstrating genuine empathy for the needs of all parties; candour, meaning a commitment to honest, straightforward communication at all times; and character, meaning unwavering personal and institutional integrity. This analysis comes from Dennis De Peiza, a veteran labor and employment relations consultant at Regional Management Services Inc.

  • Athletic Association Salutes Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones

    Athletic Association Salutes Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones

    Two of Antigua and Barbuda’s most prominent international track and field athletes, Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones, have received formal recognition and heartfelt tributes from their national governing body, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA), for their ongoing work flying the country’s flag on the global sports stage. In two separate public statements released by the association, both athletes were celebrated for the core personal traits that have defined their athletic careers: unwavering dedication, relentless perseverance, and deep commitment to their respective disciplines. For veteran sprinter Cejhae Greene, the ABAA’s praise highlighted a career-long track record of competing with immense national pride and exceptional athletic excellence. “Over the course of your career, your commitment to the sport, your ability to bounce back from every obstacle you have faced, and your consistent drive to compete against the best athletes in the world have cemented your status as one of the most important figures in the history of Antigua and Barbuda athletics,” the association shared in its statement. The ABAA emphasized that Greene’s athletic journey serves as a powerful case study for emerging young athletes across the twin-island nation, illustrating the transformative impact of discipline, persistence, and wholehearted dedication to one’s goals. “As you continue forward in your athletic path, we encourage you to keep chasing your ambitions with the same fire and determination that have made your career what it is today,” the statement added. The association also extended recognition to Soniya Jones, marking another successful season of international competition where she represented Antigua and Barbuda. Jones was commended for her steady determination, consistent performance at the global level, and incredible physical and mental strength, with the ABAA noting that her regular participation in top international competitions has been a key driver of her ongoing growth as an athlete. “Season after season, you have continued to sharpen your skills, deliver stronger results, and represent our nation with pride and outstanding distinction,” the association said of Jones. Looking ahead to her future competitions, the ABAA added that “there are still new heights to reach, and more unforgettable achievements to create in the years ahead.” Closing out the tributes, the governing body extended its well wishes to both athletes: it expressed hope that Greene will go on to achieve even more excellence and hit meaningful new career milestones in upcoming competitive seasons, while it encouraged Jones to keep building on her progress, deliver breakthrough performances, and secure greater athletic success in her future competitions.