The United States announced more than $8 million in new support for Caribbean forensic laboratories at the second Caribbean Regional Forensic Leadership Summit in St Lucia from 20–22 May.
The funding will provide advanced synthetic drug detection equipment, technical training, and enhanced collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Representatives from the Royal Grenada Police Force joined regional counterparts from 13 Caribbean countries at the Summit, which was hosted by the St Lucia Forensic Science Laboratory and the US Department of State under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).
The initiative is designed to improve fentanyl detection, reduce laboratory backlogs, and strengthen court-admissible forensic evidence used in prosecuting transnational organised crime. The summit brought together forensic, prosecution, and security leaders, along with the Regional Security System and Caricom IMPACS, aimed at bolstering regional cooperation against transnational crime and synthetic drug threats.
US Chargé d’Affaires Sarah Nelson said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to disrupting criminal networks and addressing evolving drug threats across the region.
The summit also marked the launch of the Caribbean Forensic Scientific Working Group, the region’s first coordinated platform linking Caribbean forensic professionals with US experts to improve standards, reporting, and regional cooperation. In addition, St Lucia and Guyana became the first countries in the region to implement the DEA’s GUARDS programme for the analysis and reporting of drug-related substances.
Since 2010, Grenada and other Caribbean nations have partnered with the United States through CBSI to strengthen regional security, combat drug trafficking, and dismantle transnational criminal organisations.
US Embassy St George’s
