Narcos of the Caribbean: Addressing Transshipment Drug Trafficking Through Caribbean Ports

Drug trafficking from source countries in South and Central America to other parts of the world is of growing concern as drug use increases globally. Driven by the region’s geographic proximity to source countries in South and Central America and weak antitrafficking infrastructure, drug traffickers have increasingly used routes through Caribbean ports to access target consumer nations. The use of Caribbean ports for transshipment trafficking has led to record homicide levels, corruption, and democratic backsliding. In response, Caribbean nations, other Western democracies, and international organizations have created numerous cooperative organizations and programs to reduce the number of drugs trafficked through the region. Despite these efforts, the amount of contraband seized at Caribbean ports continues to increase. This Comment argues for a comprehensive, Caribbean-led approach to combat transshipment drug trafficking. More specifically, through ratification of the Treaty of San José and an expansion of the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) and the Regional Security System (RSS), Caribbean states can cooperatively address drug trafficking without yielding influence to outside actors. By modernizing communications, enhancing surveillance, and expanding interdiction capabilities, these international organizations present the best solution to the influx of contraband through Caribbean ports. Both domestic and international policy among participating Caribbean nations must adjust to expand these organizations to realize this goal. Through a case study on the Dominican Republic’s successes in port security and interdiction capability, this Comment will illustrate how effective practices can be scaled regionally to strengthen antitrafficking efforts. By fostering regional cooperation and leveraging international resources, a sustainable strategy can be developed to address drug trafficking in the Caribbean from within.