Criminals Make Millions On Smuggling Haitians

A staggering EC$60 million. That’s the amount of money that “criminals” have made by smuggling Haitians and nationals of the Dominican Republic from here to neighbouring countries, a senior police officer estimates. “Organisers of the illegal departure have amassed among them approximately EC$60m,” Nicholas George, superintendent of police in charge of Central Division/Operations said at a recent forum.

George later explained to The Sun that his estimation was based on the fact that over 12,000 Haitians and Dominicans have come here between October 2003, when the government implemented a US$400 bond requirement, and September 2005. Of these, he said, over 11,000 have left the country through the back door. “They are charged up to US$3,000 US to leave. If a certain number leave at that cost it will come to at least EC$60,” he said.

One senior police officer, while admitting that “a lot of money has been or is being made” through the illegal practice, has said the amount quoted by George is exaggerated. “That figure is an exaggeration. to give an exact amount, we really cannot tell because the persons involved in this illegal activity charge different amounts,” said the officer, who asked not to be named. However, this officer shared one of George’s major concerns that this much money in the wrong hands can be bad for the country.

“With 60 million in the hands of a few criminals, there are things they do with it. They can buy political influence, they can seek to corrupt the judiciary, corrupt the police,” George told The Sun. While he said he had no evidence to suggest that any one among these had been bought by the criminals, his colleague wasn’t so sure and cited “a kingpin” who has been arrested and charged for smuggling Haitians.

“The amazing thing is to see the kinds of person who are at the court supporting the criminals,” the senior officer said. “Look at the number of persons who are defending these people. Can’t a lawyer say I’m not getting involved? You must see the number of persons providing some kind of moral support (to this individual).” Saying that Dominica does not belong to the police only, the officer questioned whether the political directorate had the will to stop the practice.

“I don’t want to go there,” he said when asked if the political leaders had been corrupted, “but politicians themselves are the policy makers and they must come out publicity and condemn it. Not only stay so at a cocktail party and seek to find a scapegoat. They are policy makers.”

Back in July, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced with much fanfare that in order to curb the smuggling operations, his government would impose visa restrictions on Haitians and Dominicans entering the country. The bond deposit would also be raised to US$1000. Since then it has been business as usual and none of the new measures has been implemented. “I’ve not seen any of the new measures,” one police officer said. “We are still collecting the 400 dollars. The bells have been rung but the campaign has not begun.”

Adding to the police’s headaches is the fact that, while Haitians are being smuggled out, the Dominican Republic women are remaining here and are engaging in prostitution. George told The Sun he believes that what the police have on their hands is an international crime ring that extends beyond Dominica’s shores. “I have a concern that we are involved here in transnational crime and it is possible that this activity does not begin in Dominica and the question needs to be raised if slavery is being returned to the Caribbean,” he said.

He questioned where the Haitians are getting the monies to pay for the service that they receive and asked whether pimps were forcing the Dominican women into prostitution. “Is it possible that the Dominica Republic women are using sex to pay back their sponsors? It is organised crime and we need international help combat this situation.”