ST. JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda — Antigua and Barbuda this week served as the host nation for one of the Caribbean's most significant security gatherings, the 35th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Regional Intelligence Heads. According to Antigua News Room, the three-day forum brought together intelligence leaders from across the Caribbean Community to address the pressing security challenges facing the region.
The meeting ran from July 1st to July 3rd in St. John's and was organised by the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) in collaboration with Antigua and Barbuda's Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP). A total of 32 participants from Caribbean Community Member States attended, alongside representatives from seven regional and international partner organisations.
The Opening Ceremony was addressed by Attorney General the Honourable Sir Steadroy C. Benjamin, who represented Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne. The Prime Minister, conveying his personal regrets at being unable to attend, delivered a clear message through the Attorney General — that regional security is a shared responsibility and that no single nation can confront transnational organised crime alone. Prime Minister Browne also drew a direct connection between the work of the intelligence forum and Antigua and Barbuda's preparations to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM 2026, in November, stressing that a safe and secure environment is fundamental to the success of that landmark event.
Over the three days, intelligence leaders examined a broad range of security threats currently confronting Caribbean communities, including drug and weapons trafficking, irregular migration, terrorism, and violent extremism. Delegates identified cyber-enabled fraud as a growing concern, describing it no longer as a minor financial inconvenience but as a sophisticated, internationally organised criminal enterprise that is depleting the savings of ordinary Caribbean families and helping to finance other serious crimes across the region.
A dedicated session with regional and international partners reinforced the message that combating transnational crime demands cooperation extending beyond any single country or region. Delegates agreed on the need to strengthen intelligence sharing, deepen inter-agency partnerships, and make more effective use of financial intelligence to trace the money trails of criminal networks.
The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft, Director of the ONDCP, whose leadership throughout the proceedings drew recognition from fellow delegates. As Lieutenant Colonel Croft concluded his tenure as Chair, CARICOM IMPACS Executive Director Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones praised his dedication and experience, acknowledging his significant contribution to regional security.
