ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Jul 27 2015 – Two officials from the US Homeland Security Department are expected in Antigua this week to investigate an alleged Syrian smuggling ring here.
Last Wednesday, OBSERVER media reported Chairman of the House Committee of Homeland Security, Michael McCaul, in an interview with Fox News as saying, Washington will be investigating a “colony” of Syrians that “jumped” from Antigua & Barbuda to the US virgin Islands.
On Thursday, Government Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst admitted that the United States government had indicated to the Antigua & Barbuda government, since May, that there were two smuggling/ human trafficking rings in the country, one involving Syrians, the other Cuban nationals.
Attorney General Steadroy Cutie Benjamin told OBSERVER media Sunday, the US officials will be interviewing two Syrian nationals who have resided in Antigua for several years.
“They are coming in early next week, with our full concurrence; they’re working with us on this matter. I just want to express how very grateful we are for the extremely competent assistance the Americans have given to us in this matter,” Benjamin said.
While there has only been recent allegations of the Syrian ring’s operation, the AG said the “authorities concerned” informed him the operation dates back to 2013, during the tenure of the United Progressive Party (UPP).
But, the Political Leader of the UPP, Harold Lovell, speaking during OBSERVER media’s Big Issues Sunday, said while the UPP government had to handle human trafficking issues concerning people from Caribbean countries, a Syrian smuggling ring was never brought to the attention of the then Cabinet.
“I am not aware ever being informed that there was any smuggling ring involving human beings from Syria while I sat in Cabinet,” Lovell said.
The former parliamentarian, who was a government minister from 2004 to 2014, is calling for a full formal investigation into the allege ring to also investigate allegations that government officials were complicit in its operation.
Lovell said during the UPP’s tenure, it took several steps to combat human trafficking. “However, that’s not to say that within the system there may not have been persons who could have compromised the system in some way.”
“I am prepared to accept that, and I am calling for a full inquiry into this matter and let the chips fall where they may,” he added. (Antigua OBSERVER)
