The Tribune

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

POLICE yesterday launched a joint workshop with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) targeting the investigation and prosecution of criminal activity involving nuclear or radiological material.

The opening ceremony for the three-day workshop was held at the British Colonial Hilton, featuring international representatives and those from a wide array of Bahamian agencies, ranging from law enforcement to the Airport Authority and Ministry of Health.

During his remarks, John Griffin of Global Affairs Canada underscored the importance of ensuring that “the law enforcement community is sufficiently trained and equipped to deal with a…nuclear security incident”.

He noted this is important both for safety reasons, but also “for the purpose of retrieving and examining evidence from a radiological crime scene, in a manner consistent with the requirements of (local) legal processes”.

Consequently, Mr Griffin highlighted the need for all stakeholder agencies to collaborate and communicate “when responding to a nuclear security incident”.

When asked what will be tackled in this workshop, INTERPOL’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit Coordinator John Buchanan told reporters: “We will not tackle — the answers lie with the countries themselves, who are well aware of their (criminal) legislation and the court processes.

“What we are looking to do is…for them to explore and to discuss that legislation, those court processes, and ensure that they are fit for the purpose should a terrorist incident occur,” he continued.

“It’s all law enforcement and multiagency partners, because should an incident occur, it’s not something that law enforcement could deal with on their own.

“It involves multiagency partners — it involves the health service, it involves the ambulance service, it involves the fire service, it involves the nuclear regulators. So that there are a wide variety of different agencies who can benefit from this training.”

Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson also delivered remarks at yesterday’s ceremony.

He noted The Bahamas’ strategic geographic position means there are those who view the country “as an ideal trans-shipment point through which radiological nuclear materials could be moved from one geographical location to the other”.

“There are also organised criminal organizations who spare no effort in exploring routes that they deem deficient in human or technical resources,” he continued.

Commissioner Ferguson added it is thus important that the region be equipped with the tools to “detect, disrupt, interdict and prosecute” persons who illegally deal with radiological nuclear materials, technology, or weapons.

“Updated and meaningful legislation must be enacted,” he said, adding that the penalties for any breaches must be “of such consequence to effectively deter would-be offenders”.

However, he went on to cite the “significant strides” the Bahamas has made to enact legation to combat terrorism — specifically the Anti-terrorism Act, Chapter 107.

The police commissioner noted the 2014 Amendment allows a “freezing order” of funds and assets of an individual who is charged or about to be charged with committing an offence under the Act “to be increased from eighteen months to two years”.

Commissioner Ferguson also cited the 2014 Amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Act Chapter 93, which “allows for the seizure of cash and personal property of individuals or entities derived from criminal conduct”.

Speaking to reporters following the ceremony, the commissioner added: “The Bahamas exists on the planet and so anything is likely to happen.

“The most important thing is to be ready and be able to respond to anything that happens.”