The Caribbean has emerged as a primary corridor for cocaine and other illicit goods entering Europe, prompting renewed calls for stronger judicial cooperation to dismantle criminal networks exploiting the region’s strategic location, European Union Ambassador Fiona Ramsey has warned.

Addressing regional and international legal experts at the opening of a workshop on judicial cooperation between the Caribbean and the EU through EUROJUST Focal Points at Hotel Indigo on Wednesday, she said organised criminal groups were taking advantage of the Caribbean’s extensive maritime and air links to expand trafficking operations and other forms of transnational crime.

“One of the first areas where we see that such coordinated responses will no doubt be needed is combating illicit trafficking and the criminal networks that are using routes between the Caribbean to reach Europe.”