The main objective under this Pillar is to design, implement and strengthen comprehensive and balanced policies and programs, aimed at preventing and decreasing the illicit supply of drugs, in accordance to the territorial realities of The Bahamas and respecting human rights. As previously stated, The Bahamas is not a drug producing country, but remains a transit point for illegal drugs bound for North America and other international markets. The country’s proximity to the coast of Florida combined with its location on Caribbean transshipment routes makes it a natural conduit for illicit drug trafficking. The majority of the 700 islands and cays within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas are uninhabited and provide near-ideal conditions for trafficking. Smugglers readily blend in among numerous pleasure craft traveling throughout The Bahamas archipelago, which covers nearly 100,000 square nautical miles. Trafficking also occurs through commercial and private aircrafts. The production, trafficking, use and abuse of illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and associated activities such as murder, firearms trafficking, armed robbery and money laundering present a challenge to the Government of The Bahamas in maintaining law and order for its citizens and visitors.
This Strategy seeks to strengthen agencies with responsibility for detecting, eradicating or reducing the supply of drugs. It is an essential component of a well-balanced strategic approach to drug control. Demand reduction cannot be successful without limiting drug availability. When illegal drugs are readily available, the likelihood of use increases. To advance the Government’s position there are a number of agencies mandated with the responsibility of suppressing illegal drugs in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. These include the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Bahamas Customs Department. All of these agencies recently received significant improvements in infrastructure, human resource development and technical resources. It is vital that these organizations are equipped to carry out their mandate regarding supply reduction. They must also build their capacity in providing a defence to the importation or trafficking of illegal drugs and psychotropic substances. This is achievable through close cooperation and inter-agency coordination of efforts and assets.
What is supply reduction?
Supply reduction relates to the strengthening of national law enforcement agencies in their capacity to reduce and eventually eradicate drugs and related contraband. This includes the eradication of illicit drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and marijuana that are plant-based, and MDMA (Ecstasy), amphetamine-like stimulants, hallucinogens and other synthetic or chemical-based drugs, as well as the chemical substances used to produce both classes of drugs. There are also certain pharmaceutical drugs used for medical or scientific purposes that are subject to abuse and diverted from legitimate medical channels. In addition to the foregoing, supply reduction may include the cooperation of national and international agencies to strengthen other aspects of drug control, including drug enforcement, customs, maritime cooperation, and port security.
Supply Reduction Officer
Mr. David Ramsey is 30-year veteran of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who presently serves as the Supply Reduction Officer in the National Anti-Drug Secretariat at the Ministry of National Security. Mr. Ramsey served in the Drug Enforcement Unit for more than 21 years of his career, twelve and half years in the Strike Force and nine years in the Tracing and Forfeiture and the Money Laundering Investigation Sections.
