RSS seizes millions in drugs and cash in 2022

The Regional Security System (RSS), with support from its Air Wing, seized 918 kg of cocaine and 2071.4 lbs of marijuana in 2022.

This was disclosed by Executive Director of the RSS, Commodore Errington Shurland, who was sharing some of the achievements of the organisation during his opening remarks at the RSS’ Council of Ministers meeting, at the Radisson Beach Resort in Grenada on Wednesday.

Commodore Shurland also revealed that through guidance to RSS Member States, there were cash seizures valued at XCD $4.5 million (Eastern Caribbean Dollars), restraints valued at XCD $8.7 million, confiscations valued at XCD $227,750 and cash forfeitures valued at XCD $2.4 million, last year.

The RSS head pointed out that these accomplishments could not only be attributed to the RSS Headquarters, but were a result of the organisation’s collaboration with its strategic partners.

He further added that the region was vulnerable to a number of other threats including the nefarious use of technology and artificial intelligence, as well as the possibility of serious climatic events which could result in mass migration and an economy sustained by transnational criminal organisations.

The executive director noted that these foreseeable events suggest that there is a need to examine how civil society and other players in the international system can work in tandem with traditional law enforcement to address security concerns.

“The inclusion of non-traditional actors in the licit network’s counter strategy, and the emergence of environmental and cyber threats would therefore underpin the need for a network governance model to provide the framework through which this collaboration will take place,” he outlined.

Commodore Shurland also alluded to the increase in gun violence which has been crippling some of the Member States and stressed the need for “hard and soft responses” to this crisis.

“Soft through constant positive messaging to our young people with the aid of social development programs that consistently targets troubled youth, and programs that addresses issues related to recidivism. The hard responses require the commitment to put in place the necessary infrastructure to secure our borders and prevent the guns from entering our space as well as to treat to issues of corruption,” he explained.