The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Cooperation Program between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on drug policy (COPOLAD III) have officially deepened their cooperation through the signing of a Letter of Intent, signalling a renewed, inter-regional commitment to tackling the surge of synthetic drugs, precursor chemical diversion and the increasingly adaptive nature of criminal networks.

The signing ceremony, held on 29 April 2026, at 4th Annual Meeting of COPOLAD III in the Dominican Republic, marks the formalisation of a partnership that serves as a vital bridge for knowledge exchange among the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America. This new agreement follows a highly successful 2024 programme that saw over 500 regional officers from police, military, customs and financial intelligence units receive specialised training in disrupting organised crime and investigating new psychotropic substances.

Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director, CARICOM IMPACS, highlighted that while a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expired in early 2025, collaboration between the two agencies never ceased.

“Today marks more than the signing of a document. It reflects a shared commitment across Regions to confront evolving drug challenges with unity and resolve. The Caribbean faces a new and complex reality. These threats do not respect borders and our response cannot be confined by them either”, he stated.

The Letter of Intent establishes a results-driven roadmap for the immediate future, focusing on three critical pillars of regional security. This includes the launch of a multi-country diagnostic study designed to create an evidence-based baseline on drug-related violence and the recruitment of youth into organised crime across CARICOM Member States.

Additionally, the partnership will facilitate specialised technical exchanges through targeted study visits with elite European agencies, such as the Italian Anti-Mafia Investigation Department (DIA) and the Central Directorate of Anti-Drug Services (DCSA), to transfer best practices in intelligence-led investigations. Complementing these efforts is a commitment to enhanced training and harmonisation, featuring the continued rollout of modular programmes for frontline personnel and the development of unified Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline regional information sharing.

The partnership is supported by the European Union (EU) and reflects a collective responsibility to protect the safety and stability of citizens across the Caribbean.

“This signing stands as a symbol of what is possible when Regions act together. Safer spaces are built through consistent action by informed and capable public institutions”, Lt. Col. Jones added.

The Letter of Intent serves as the foundation for the full renewal of the MoU between CARICOM IMPACS and COPOLAD III in the coming months.