Under the theme 'the Way Forward: Vision Planning Action', the Jamaica Customs Department will host the 24th Conference of the Caribbean Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) from November 13 to 17, 2001 at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios.
In keeping with the theme, the Executive Committee is to make a presentation on the historical and current status of the CCLEC and a number of workshop sessions will also be conducted in areas related to the strategic direction of the Council as well as in human resources and funding.
Approximately 50 delegates and observers from the Caribbean region and central and South America, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom the Netherlands and France are expected to attend the conference.
According to Commissioner of Customs, Alison Moore, this year's conference will have greater significance given the recent attacks on the United States.
"One of the constant preoccupations of the Council is to strengthen co-operation among Region One Customs Administrations and related law enforcement agencies with a view to enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness in coping with emerging problems, particularly those relating to drug trafficking and other transnational crimes such as money laundering and the smuggling of illegal arms," Miss Moore said.
CCLEC is a multilateral regional Organisation, whose membership comprises customs administrations from the Caribbean and Latin America, in addition to Canada, France, Mexico the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States and is dedicated to improving the overall professionals of its members.
It was established in the early 1970s with a mandate to improve the level of co-operation and the exchange of information among members.
A Memorandum of Understanding to prevent smuggling and other customs offences in the Caribbean Zone was developed, and to date, 37 customs administrations are signatories to this MOU.
