Stronger Together: Intelligence in the English-Speaking West Indies

Abstract

AbstractThis article explores intelligence in the English-speaking West Indies by examining institutions, capabilities, and objectives. It highlights how the British Overseas Territories and independent nations separately and collectively gather and utilize intelligence. The article argues the territories and countries’ sizes and resources as well as their geographic locations significantly shape intelligence networks that collect, share, and use vital security information. In doing so, this article provides the first academic analysis of the region’s intelligence as a whole in understanding how intelligence is viewed, utilized, and shared within territories and countries that are not usually examined in the intelligence studies literature. Disclosure statementThe author reports there are no competing interests to declare.Notes1 For example, see: Christopher Andrew, Defend the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5 (London: Allen Lane, 2009), pp. 477–480; Biko Agozino, Ben Bowling, Elizabeth Ward, and Godfrey St Bernard, “Guns, Crime and Social Order in the West Indies,” Criminology & Criminal Justice, Vol. 9, No. 3 (2009). doi:10.1177/1748895809336378; Don D. Marshall and Aretha M. Campbell, “The Consequences of Global Policy Initiatives Against Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Tax Evasion on Financial Centres in the Caribbean Region,” in Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Tax Evasion (Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2021), pp. 267–324.2 Some examples include: Owen L. Sirrs, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate: Covert Action and Internal Operations (New York: Routledge, 2017); Bob de Graaff, “Elements of an Asian Intelligence Culture,” in Intelligence Communities and Cultures in Asia and the Middle East: A Comprehensive Reference, edited by Bob de Graaff (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2020), pp. 461–470; Dheeraj Chaya, India’s Intelligence Culture and Strategic Surprises Spying for South Block (New York: Routledge, 2023); Ryan Shaffer, “Introduction,” African Intelligence Services: Early Postcolonial and Contemporary Challenges, edited by Ryan Shaffer (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2021), pp. 3–22; Ryan Shaffer, “Introduction,” The Handbook of African Intelligence Cultures, edited by Ryan Shaffer (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2023), pp. xvii–xxvi; Ryan Shaffer, “Introduction,” The Handbook of Asian Intelligence Cultures, edited by Ryan Shaffer (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2023), pp. xii–xxi; Ryan Shaffer, “Following in Footsteps: The History of Kenya’s Post-Colonial Intelligence Services,” Studies in Intelligence, Vol. 63, No. 1 (2019), pp. 23–40.3 For example, see: Kevin Peters, “Bahamas-Trinidad Tobago-Jamaica,” in The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Cultures, edited by Florina Cristiana Matei, Carolyn Halladay, and Eduardo E. Estévez (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2022), pp. 227–244; Glenn E. McPhee, “Barriers to Collecting ‘Secret Intelligence’ in the Bahamas,” The International Journal of Intelligence, Security, and Public Affairs, Vol. 18, No. 2 (2016), pp. 93–109. doi:10.1080/23800992.2016.1196937. Also see: Derron Mc Clean, Intelligence Reform: Considerations for Trinidad and Tobago (Unpublished M.A. Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, 2018). https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1069660.pdf4 For example, see: Charles Cawley, Colonies in Conflict: The History of the British Overseas Territories (Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015).5 Philip Loft, The UK Overseas Territories and their Governors, No. 9583 (London: House of Commons Library, 30 June 2022), p. 7. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9583/CBP-9583.pdf6 The Overseas Territories and the Home Office (London: Home Office, 2012), p. 1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/98668/overseas-territories.pdf7 Loft, The UK Overseas Territories and their Governors, p. 5.8 “MI5’s Resources and Links,” Security Service, 2022, https://www.mi5.gov.uk/resources-and-links9 “What We Do,” Security Service, 2022, https://www.mi5.gov.uk/what-we-do10 Overseas Territories: The Ministry of Defence’s Contribution (London: Ministry of Defence, n.d.). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/27626/overseas_territories.pdf11 Ibid.12 For an example of British intelligence style’s continuity in postcolonial Kenya, see: Ryan Shaffer, “The More Things Change: Kenya’s Special Branch During the Decade of Independence,” African Intelligence Services: Early Postcolonial and Contemporary Challenges, edited by Ryan Shaffer (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2021), pp. 33–46.13 Loft, The UK Overseas Territories and their Governors, p. 13.14 “Trinidad & Tobago Removed from Grey List by the FATF,” Government of Trinidad & Tobago (2020), http://www.news.gov.tt/content/trinidad-tobago-removed-grey-list-fatf#.Yw67lHbMK00; Brian O’Connor, “EU Adds Territory to Second Blacklist in Less Than a Year,” Virgin Islands Daily News, 25 February 2019, 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British Islands, 2 December 2021, http://www.bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/premier-pays-courtesy-call-hertfordshire-county-council-marks-10-year-relationship30 “Welcome to the British Virgin Islands Financial Investigation Agency,” British Virgin Islands Financial Investigation Agency (2022), https://www.fiabvi.vg/About-Us31 Annual Report 2017 (Cayman Islands: Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, 2017), pp. 18, 26. https://www.rcips.ky/upimages/OrganizationalDepartment/RCIPS_Annual_Policing_Report_-_2017_(Summarized)1526333356.pdf.32 “Financial Crime Investigation Unit,” Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (2022), https://www.rcips.ky/financial-investigations33 Annual Report 2017, p. 37.34 Ibid., p. 40.Ibid., p. 37.35 Ibid., p. 30.36 2021 Annual Report (Cayman Islands: Office of the Commissioner of Police, 2022), p. 12. https://www.rcips.ky/upimages/OrganizationalDepartment/OCP_Annual_Report_20211656428771.pdf37 Tad Stoner, “Police Intelligence Reviewed,” Cayman Net News, 27 May 2009.38 Shurna Robbins, “Caymans Calls in UK Police As Crime Threatens Image,” Reuters, 22 April 2010, https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-caymans-crime/caymans-calls-in-uk-police-as-crime-threatens-image-idUKTRE63L5JX2010042239 Annual Report 2017, p. 40.40 “Establishment of a Financial Intelligence Agency & Reform Measures for the Social Security Fund Agreed by Cabinet,” Government of Montserrat, 8 November 2021, https://www.gov.ms/2021/11/08/establishment-of-a-financial-intelligence-agency-reform-measures-for-the-social-security-fund-agreed-by-cabinet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=establishment-of-a-financial-intelligence-agency-reform-measures-for-the-social-security-fund-agreed-by-cabinet41 “Overview of the RMPS,” The Royal Montserrat Police Force (2022), https://www.gov.ms/government/ministries/non-ministerial-departments/royal-montserrat-police-service-rmps/42 Budget Statement (Montserrat: Government of Montserrat, 2016), p. 55. 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influenced colonial police forces, see: Ray Wilson and Ian Adams, Special Branch: A History: 1883–2006 (London: Biteback Publishing, 2015).54 Seelall Persaud, Stepping Out of the Herd: My Life in the Guyana Police Force (Altona, Canada: FriesenPress, 2022), p. 176.55 Central Intelligence Agency, “Antigua and Barbuda,” The World Factbook (2022), https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/56 “Antigua and Barbuda,” INTERPOL (2022), https://www.interpol.int/en/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/ANTIGUA-BARBUDA57 “Financial Intelligence Unit,” Antigua and Barbuda Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (2022), https://ondcp.gov.ag/amlcft-compliance/financial-intelligence-unit/58 “Caribbean Basin Security Initiative: Antigua and Barbuda,” U.S. Department of State (2022),https://www.state.gov/caribbean-basin-security-initiative-antigua-and-barbuda/59 Central Intelligence Agency, “The Bahamas,” The World Factbook (2022), 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Andy Knight, “Homegrown Violent Extremism in Trinidad and Tobago: Local Patterns, Global Trends,” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Vol. 40, No. 4 (2017), pp. 267–299; “Hotline To Expose ISIS Recruits Set Up In Trinidad,” Curacao Chronicle, 4 December 2015, http://curacaochronicle.com/region/hotline-to-expose-isis-recruits-set-up-in-trinidad/125 “Trini Muslims Detained in Venezuela Freed on Terrorism Charges,” Loop, 15 October 2016,https://tt.loopnews.com/content/trini-muslims-detained-venezuela-freed-terrorism-charges126 Denyse Renne, “Uncertainty, Confusion at SSA as New Security Agency Not Yet Legal,” Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 13 October 2012, https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.432693.7a17dfb639; Gail Alexander, “Four SSA Officials Fired,” Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 16 December 2015,https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.372723.ffbc4e078d; Mark Bassant, “$48M for Spyware… Equipment not Operational since 2021,” Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 1 May 2022, https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/48m-for-spywareequipment-not-operational-since-2021-6.2.1486917.4647f571d4; “Rowley: Remove ‘Unfit’ Persad as Security Head,” CARICOM, 1 March 2013, https://caricom.org/rowley-remove-unfit-persad-as-security-head/127 “Manning Denies AG’s Wiretapping Charges,” Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 1 December 2010, https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.347186.060303b2f7?app_multi=NeoDirect,NeoDirect&com_multi=6/2/347186/060303b2f7,6/0/0/92a3c957d6; “We Didn’t Spy: TSTT, Digicel Respond to Wiretapping Scandal,” Stabroek News, 16 November 2010, https://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/11/16/news/guyana/we-didn%E2%80%99t-spy-tstt-digicel-respond-to-wiretapping-scandal/128 “Israeli Experts Destroyed Secret SIA Files: Volney,” Jyoti Communication, 6 December 2010, https://jyoticommunication.blogspot.com/2010/12/israeli-experts-destroyed-secret-sia.html129 Annual Report 2017 (Trinidad and Tobago: Strategic Services Agency, Ministry of National Security, 2017). http://parlcloud.ttparliament.org:8081/PapersLaidViewer/TempFiles/Strategic%20Services%20Agency%20Report%202017.pdf130 “SSA Conducts 316,374 Interceptions in 2021 for Criminal Probes,” Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 18 May 2022, https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/ssa-conducts-316374-interceptions-in-2021-for-criminal-probes-6.2.1494741.e97fe61ba7131 Ibid.132 For examples of international cooperation for countering drug smuggling, see: “Argus Scores £120m Cocaine Bust in Caribbean,” Royal Navy, 16 November 2020,https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/november/16/20201116-argus-double-drugs-bust; “RFA Mounts Bay Scores £40m Drugs Bust,” Royal Navy, 7 February 2020, https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/february/07/200207-mounts-bay-drugs-bust133 “Caribbean Governments May Be at Risk from Donated Computers,” St. Lucia Star, 4 December 2013, https://stluciastar.com/caribbean-governments-may-be-at-risk-from-donated-computers/; Stephanie Kirchgaessner, “Revealed: China Suspected of Spying on Americans Via Caribbean Phone Networks,” The Guardian, 15 December 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/15/revealed-china-suspected-of-spying-on-americans-via-caribbean-phone-networks134 Information Security Audit of Royal Montserrat Police Force (Montserrat: Royal Montserrat Police Force, 2020). http://audit.gov.ms/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Information-Security-Audit-RMPS-OTRCIS-February-2020.pdf.135 “British Overseas Territories: Young Offenders,” No. 494, Parliament, 16 June 2009, https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2009-06-16/debates/09061657000024/BritishOverseasTerritoriesYoungOffenders136 Safeguarding Children and Young Person’s Board, Annual Report 2015 (St. Helena: St. Helena Government, 2015). https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Safeguarding-Board-Annual-Report-2015.pdf137 For example, see: Information Security Audit of Royal Montserrat Police Force.138 “Caribbean Leadership,” U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (2022), https://www.dea.gov/caribbean/caribbean-leadership139 “Police Forging Intelligence Relationship,” Royal Anguilla Police Force Facebook, 23 August 2016,https://www.facebook.com/1544774132458879/posts/police-forging-intelligence-relationshipthe-royal-anguilla-police-force-on-frida/1771340139802276/140 “Caribbean Basin Security Initiative: Guyana,” U.S. Department of State (2022),https://www.state.gov/caribbean-basin-security-initiative-guyana/141 Ibid.142 “Connecting Institutions,” Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (2022), https://cbsi-connect.org/local/pages/index.php?id=4&lang=es143 “Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre,” Jamaica Ministry of National Security (2022),https://www.mns.gov.jm/caribbean-regional-drug-law-enforcement-training-centre-redtrac144 Ibid.145 “Guyana to Establish Police Academy to Train Local and Regional Officers,” Caribbean News Global, 13 March 2022, https://www.caribbeannewsglobal.com/guyana-to-establish-police-academy-to-train-local-and-regional-officers/146 Ibid.147 “About Us,” Regional Security System, 2022, https://www.rss.org.bb/about-us/148 Ibid.149 “Core Services,” Regional Security System (2022), https://www.rss.org.bb/core-services/; “Bios,” Regional Security System (2022), https://www.rss.org.bb/2017/11/. Also see: Ivelaw L. Griffith, The Quest for Security in the Caribbean: Problems and Promises in Subordinate States (New York: Routledge, 1993), p. 157.150 “How Small States Work Together for Regional Security in Complex Security Threat Environments,” Regional Security System, 23 November 2020, https://www.rss.org.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Article.pdf, pp. 194, 105.151 “SOUTHCOM Acronyms Used Spelled out with Explanation (if Required),” U.S. Southern Command (2022), https://www.southcom.mil/Portals/7/Documents/USAG-M%20docs/SOUTHCOM%20Acronyms.pdf?ver=tU_aCaHWQPKYuGnrKtxSow%3D%3D152 “Defence Minister Wants Stronger Ties to Fight Terrorism and Organized Crime,” Love FM, 26 May 2017,https://lovefm.com/defence-minister-wants-stronger-ties-to-fight-terrorism-and-organized-crime/153 “Chang Urges Region to Invest in Technology to Fight Security Challenge,” Loop, 12 April 2018,https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/chang-urges-region-invest-technology-fight-security-challenge154 Jim Garamone, “Attendees of Caribbean Security Conference Aim to Improve Regional Ties,” U.S. Department of Defense, 31 March 2022, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2985130/attendees-of-caribbean-security-conference-aim-to-improve-regional-ties/; “Caribbean Nation Security Conference (CANSEC) 2022,” U.S. Southern Command (2022), https://www.southcom.mil/CANSEC2022/155 “Ministry of National Security—Jamaica,” Twitter, 10 April 2018, https://twitter.com/mnsgovjm/status/983714488624074753; “Opening of: Caribbean Nations Security Conference 2022 (CANSEC 22),” YouTube, 6 April 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awt1ulkN490156 “Historical Background,” Inter-American Defense Board (2022), https://www.jid.org/en/historical-background/; “Delegations,” Inter-American Defense Board (2022), https://www.jid.org/en/delegations/157 Dionne Rose, “Regional Information Intelligence Sharing Network Imminent,” Jamaica Information Service, 4 March 2004, https://jis.gov.jm/regional-information-intelligence-sharing-network-imminent/; “Communique,” Caribbean Community, 11 May 2005, https://oldsite.caricom.org/media-center/communications/communiques/communique-issued-at-the-conclusion-of-a-special-meeting-of-caribbean-commu/P100158 “Communique,” Caribbean Community, 5 March 2005, https://oldsite.caricom.org/communications/view/communique-issued-at-the-meeting-of-members-of-the-caricom-ministerial-sub-committee-for-resource-mobilisation-for-crime-and-security-and-a-united-kingdom-senior-level-time-on-security-cooperation-3-march-2004-kingston-jamaica159 “CARICOM Implement Agency for Crime and Security,” Caribbean Community (2022),https://caricom.org/institutions/caricom-implementing-agency-for-crime-and-security-impacs/160 “The Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC),” Caribbean Community (2022), https://caricomimpacs.org/sub-agencies/jrcc/161 Dominic Thomas-James, Offshore Financial Centres and the Law: Suspect Wealth in British Overseas Territories (New York: Routledge, 2022), p. 49.162 “CFATF Public Statements,” Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (2022), https://www.cfatf-gafic.org/home/public-statements163 “The Use of Financial Intelligence and Other Relevant Information in the Fight against AML/CFT/PF—Immediate Outcome 6,” Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (2020),https://www.cfatf-gafic.org/documents/research-corner/technical-articles/13993-the-use-of-financial-intelligence-in-the-fight-against-amlcft/file164 “Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Attends CFATF Plenary in Trinidad and Tobago in Preparation for its Mutual Evaluation,” Government of Royal Turks and Caicos Islands, 6 June 2018, https://www.gov.tc/pressoffice/690-turks-and-caicos-islands-attends-cfatf-plenary-in-trinidad-and-tobago-in-preparation-for-its-mutual-evaluation165 “The Bridgetown Barbados Country Office Hosts the 1st Annual Meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Financial Intelligence and Investigation Units in Antigua, West Indies,” U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, 1 November 2004, https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/pubs/states/newsrel/carib110404.html166 Ibid.167 David Jessop, “The Overseas Territories: The Long View,” Caribbean Intelligence (2022), https://www.caribbeanintelligence.com/content/overseas-territories-long-view168 “Commitment by the Cayman Islands on the Implementation of Public Registers of Beneficial Ownership of Companies,” Government of Cayman Islands (2019). https://cnslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/Cayman-Islands-Statement-on-Public-Beneficial-Ownership-of-Companies-9-Oct-2019.pdf169 For countries considering leaving the Commonwealth, see: Archie Bland, “Monday Briefing: The Commonwealth Countries Considering a Republican Future,” The Guardian, 12 September 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/12/monday-briefing-commonwealth-charles-first-edition; “Antigua and Barbuda to Hold Republic Referendum within Three Years, Says PM,” The Guardian, 10 September 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/11/antigua-and-barbuda-republic-referendum-within-three-years-pm-queen-deathAdditional informationNotes on contributorsRyan ShafferRyan Shaffer has a Ph.D. in history with expertise on extremism and security. He has written hundreds of articles, book chapters, and reviews. Shaffer’s books include African Intelligence Services: Early Postcolonial and Contemporary Challenges and The Handbook of African Intelligence Cultures.