Magistrate Behanzin Says Crime Syndicates Behind Drug Trade

Outspoken magistrate Tiyani Behanzin says the real drug lords and kingpins who finance the drug trade in Dominica will and must be dealt with.  Behanzin sounded the warning while addressing a panel discussion on “Drugs, Crime, the Law and You”, in Bath Estate last night.

In his typical blunt and forthright style Behanzin insisted that the real criminals are not the “people running around displaying their little measly wealth” but well placed and connected individuals who finance and support their activities.

“There is a core who finance the drugs trade in this place. There are syndicates making millions of US dollars in this place which remove and erase the legitimate economy in this country which means an economy the government can see, and can account for and can tax. These people seat inside government offices, they seat inside churches and they praise the highest hallelujahs; they finance the drug trade and those are the people you have to deal with” he said.

Magistrate Behanzin further insisted that the authorities know the real culprits behind the drug trade and those who aid and abet the dealers. “We know who they are, the police in some cases know who they are; they ned to be dealt with. The police officers who assist those criminals need to be dealt with. Any state apparatus where they are hiding they need to be dealt with” he said.

Behanzin comments come on the heels of recent police operations against a number of individuals and businesses allegedly involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. Two individuals have so far been arrested and charged with money laundering.