The Jamaica Customs Agency’s (JCA) border security capabilities have been enhanced now that it has direct, real time access to intelligence from the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) National Central Bureau for Jamaica via the INTERPOL information system.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Commissioner of Customs Velma Ricketts Walker, and Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson on Tuesday, July 25, at the Jamaica Customs head office in Kingston.

The MOU establishes a crucial framework for cooperation, enabling the JCA to tap into INTERPOL’s vast repository of intelligence and data, thus enhancing the country’s intelligence-gathering and analytical capabilities to strengthen the fight against crime. With seamless access to the INTERPOL Information System, Jamaican law enforcement agencies can now more effectively tackle various criminal activities and respond proactively to emerging threats.

Speaking at a press briefing held to mark the occasion, Ricketts Walker highlighted the significance of the partnership. She said: “Illicit goods don’t just come here on their own; it is people that are associated with these illicit goods.”

She expressed how the INTERPOL database would aid in identifying potential individuals linked to criminal activities, enabling the JCA to work in close collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to disrupt illicit networks.

Responding to questions about the results of having access to the database, Walker told Our Today: “The access to this database has been very effective and has greatly motivated the team. When you have access to certain data, that helps with work, we’re able to be more targeted in our enforcement, investigation, and intelligence apparatus and risk management to ensure we are putting a dent in crime fighting and illicit activity, the movement of illicit goods across our borders or even passengers who have nefarious activities.”

Ricketts Walker clarified that prior to the MoU, the JCA already had access to the database through the National Central Bureau. However, the MoU now gives the JCA direct, real-time access.

The police commissioner echoed similar sentiments and lauded the growing collaboration between the JCF and Jamaica Customs. He noted that the recent establishment of an INTERPOL bureau in the Caribbean, specifically in Barbados, has provided invaluable opportunities for enhanced cooperation and information exchange among member countries.

“The collaboration arrangements you get from being a member of INTERPOL are really unmatched,” Anderson stated. “One of the unique things about INTERPOL is that it does not recognise the political issues between countries; they do not play out in law enforcement. This access is really more of access to a series of databases from law enforcement agencies globally, the database records all manners of criminal matters and persons of interest.”