Dominica

People

Human trafficking in Dominica remains poorly documented, with a lack of clarity between trafficking and smuggling. Victims are often arrested under smuggling charges, complicating investigations. Dominica serves as both a source and transit country for trafficking and smuggling, with Haitian nationals commonly involved. Recent reports highlight growing concerns over the smuggling of individuals – particularly Haitians – from Dominica to destinations such as Guadeloupe and Martinique. The conflation of trafficking and smuggling in media coverage further complicates identification of these crimes. Regardless, the market continues to be characterized by relatively small-scale operations. There is no evidence of extortion or protection racketeering activities in the country.

Trade

Arms trafficking is a notable concern, with the country experiencing increased gun violence and the use of unlicensed firearms in violent crimes. Several notable incidents and seizures were reported during the review period. Although a gun and ammunition amnesty was held in late 2023 and some enhanced detection efforts were implemented, arms trafficking persists. Firearms acquisition is often linked to the drug trade, with the US and Venezuela identified as major sources of illegal weapons.

Conversely, there is limited evidence of a counterfeit goods market in Dominica. While some reports indicate the anecdotal trade of counterfeit luxury items – such as branded watches – through street markets and online platforms, the overall market remains negligible. Similarly, there is little information to indicate the existence of a significant illicit trade in excisable goods. Available intelligence suggests that alcohol smuggling occurs on a modest scale, primarily via small vessels operating between Dominica and neighbouring islands.

Environment

There is no evidence of a criminal market for flora crimes. Similarly, the fauna crimes market remains minimal. No significant changes have been observed in the fauna market or in the trafficking of parrots and sea turtles in recent years. Available data suggests this is a stable but small-scale issue, with limited fluctuations in activity. There is also no indication of a criminal market for non-renewable resources trade in the country.

Drugs

The heroin trade remains virtually non-existent. In contrast, Dominica serves primarily as a transit and temporary storage point for cocaine trafficked from Latin America to North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Maritime smuggling is the dominant method, although people have also ingested cocaine pellets for transportation. In recent years, several cocaine seizures have taken place at airports and ports, including significant busts of fishing vessels. While local demand for cocaine remains low, Dominica continues to be a critical trans-shipment hub, with Venezuela the primary source. Dominica also serves as a transit and temporary storage point for cannabis destined for North America, Europe and the Caribbean. The country is also a minor producer, with cultivation occurring in remote areas. The majority of cannabis is consumed domestically, accounting for approximately 90% of local drug use. Although several cannabis trafficking incidents were recorded during the reporting period, cannabis remains a relatively small issue, and there are ongoing discussions around developing a medicinal cannabis industry. There is little evidence of a significant synthetic drug trade, which has a minimal impact on the local economy. Still, concerns over potential vulnerabilities have been observed in this area.

Cyber-dependent crimes

Cyber-dependent crimes are not currently a major criminal market in Dominica. However, experts note that the country remains vulnerable to cybercrimes, particularly malware use and ransomware attacks, with local businesses often targeted.

Financial Crimes

Financial crimes are relatively common and take various forms, including phishing emails, fraudulent financial products and services, credit card theft and pyramid schemes. Tax evasion is also widespread, partially facilitated by Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, which allows people to obtain so-called golden passports in exchange for financial investments.

Criminal Actors

There is no evidence of mafia-style groups operating in Dominica. However, the country has experienced rising social instability, reflected in increased crime rates and growing gang activity. These groups are not highly organized but are involved in local drug trafficking, petty crime and territorial disputes. There are indications of connections with similarly loosely structured criminal networks in neighbouring territories such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, suggesting some level of transnational collaboration – particularly in the drug trade. However, despite the rise in local insecurity, criminal networks in Dominica do not constitute a significant threat and are still not fully entrenched in organized criminal activities.

There is limited evidence of state-embedded actors involved in organized crime. Although a few cases have been reported in recent years, they do not indicate widespread or systemic involvement. Dominica’s CBI programme has faced criticism for potentially facilitating financial crimes, such as tax evasion by foreign actors. While there is no evidence indicating direct private sector involvement in criminal markets, the CBI programme has faced persistent allegations of corruption and fraud, particularly in parts of the private sector.

The cocaine trade in Dominica is heavily influenced by Venezuelan traffickers, who significantly control the market. These traffickers often establish a temporary presence in the country to oversee cocaine shipments, maintaining a low profile to avoid detection by law enforcement. While there is no evidence of substantial private-sector involvement in criminal markets, allegations of corruption and fraud persist, particularly in the hospitality industry.

Leadership and governance

Dominica has exhibited relatively strong and stable governance, with positive performance in areas such as political stability, the rule of law and government effectiveness. However, challenges remain in areas including election management, judicial efficiency and corruption. Efforts are under way to enhance electoral transparency and address human rights concerns, such as child labour. While the government has emphasized tackling rising homicide levels and growing violence, it has not made any formal declarations targeting organized crime. In recent years, Dominica has seen modest improvements in government transparency and accountability. Nevertheless, the opposition and external bodies have raised allegations of corruption related to the CBI programme, including concerns about discrepancies in passport sales. Dominica’s anti-corruption legal framework includes the Integrity in Public Office Act, which established the Integrity Commission, though challenges persist due to limited resources and inadequate prosecution capacity. Governance is further complicated by the absence of a law ensuring access to information.

Dominica has ratified major international conventions on organized crime, including those addressing drug trafficking, corruption and the arms trade. The country has an effective system for international cooperation and extradition, with legal provisions for mutual assistance in criminal investigations. It actively participates in regional initiatives such as the Seaport Cooperation Programme and agreements with the Caribbean Community aimed at combating transnational crime. Despite these efforts, Dominica lacks some technical assistance and communication channels for rapid information exchange. The country collaborates closely with the UK, France and the US, receiving training, equipment and financial support – particularly to strengthen law enforcement capabilities and bolster maritime security.

Domestically, Dominica’s legislation primarily addresses drug trafficking, with a law on civil asset forfeiture supporting police, prosecutors and drug treatment programmes. Possession of less than 28 grams of marijuana has been decriminalized, and there are ongoing discussions around the development of a medicinal cannabis industry. Still, the country lacks protocols for investigating drug manufacturing or using specialized tools to prevent trafficking. Dominica also criminalizes the illicit trafficking of firearms and explosives and has a national authority for regulating such activities. A national cybersecurity strategy has been under development since 2014, though no formal cybercrime strategy exists.

Criminal justice and security

Dominica’s judicial system operates under English common law and falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The system consists of Magistrates’ Courts, which handle minor cases, and a High Court with unlimited jurisdiction. While the judiciary is independent, it faces challenges including case backlogs, a shortage of magistrates and inadequate police and prosecutorial staff. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is responsible for prosecuting corruption, but it lacks the resources to manage complex cases. Prison conditions generally meet international standards, although staff shortages contribute to prolonged pre-trial detentions. As part of broader reform, the government is also working on juvenile justice reform, with support from services like CHANCES calling for more juvenile centres due to overcrowding.

The police and prosecutorial staff are insufficient to effectively address organized crime, as agencies under-resourced, thereby hindering their ability to expand operations. Drug interdiction efforts are primarily managed by the Drug Squad and the Coast Guard, both of which face severe resource constraints. While the public views the police as responsive to security concerns, there are perceptions of political influence in their actions. In 2023, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) seized a significant amount of illicit funds in collaboration with the police and customs officials. In 2024, law enforcement also received training from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to combat human trafficking and smuggling.

Dominica’s geographic location makes it a critical transit point for cocaine trafficking from South America to the Caribbean and Europe. The island’s diverse geography, particularly along the coastlines, complicates anti-smuggling efforts, with drug traffickers using various vessels, including yachts and cargo ships. The country’s two main ports – Roseau and Portsmouth – are vulnerable due to limited control over port workers and weak customs oversight. In response, the government has enhanced its Coast Guard and is transitioning to the use of biometric passports that incorporate facial recognition and fingerprint technology to combat counterfeiting and human trafficking. The government is also developing a national cyber security strategy, although its current cyber resilience remains low, according to global assessments.

Economic and financial environment

Dominica has made notable progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering framework, with the FIU playing a central role in investigations. In 2023, the unit secured the country’s first money laundering conviction. However, the FIU continues to face resource constraints. The CBI programme remains controversial due to concerns over insufficient criminal background checks and its potential to facilitate money laundering and other forms of financial misconduct. The programme’s golden passports, when combined with opaque financial instruments such as anonymous shell companies and secret bank accounts, could allow people to circumvent compliance measures. Additionally, while online gambling is permitted under specific regulations, it raises further concerns about potential money laundering channels.

Dominica is one of the poorest countries in the Eastern Caribbean. Its economy relies on agriculture, particularly bananas, though it is increasingly focusing on eco-tourism. While organized crime does not appear to control significant sectors of the economy or provide financial services, challenges remain. The CBI programme, for example, has raised concerns in the hotel industry, where promised investments are often unfulfilled or fraudulent. Additionally, Dominica’s growing economic ties with China – particularly regarding infrastructure projects – could increase its dependence on the country, raising potential risks. Despite these challenges, Dominica has made meaningful progress in addressing tax evasion, resulting in a more robust tax system and the country’s removal from the EU’s watch list of jurisdictions deemed non-compliant with international tax standards.

Civil society and social protection

Dominica faces challenges in victim support, with concerns about inadequate care and protection for victims of domestic violence and sexual crimes. In response, the government passed five bills in 2023 aimed at enhancing protections for children, women and other vulnerable groups. Discussions surrounding the establishment of a regional drug rehabilitation centre in Dominica were also initiated by the health minister in 2024. These efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to improving support systems for crime victims, although public confidence in these services remains low.

To combat crime and violence, the government launched a community outreach programme in 2012 to engage residents in crime prevention efforts. By 2023, the programme had expanded to include activation of a neighbourhood watch programme. A Crimestoppers hotline was also introduced, allowing citizens to report crimes anonymously. In 2024, the IOM conducted a training for immigration and law enforcement officers on combating human trafficking. Meanwhile, the National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit focuses on drug prevention through educational activities, although its coverage is limited, while Crime Stoppers Dominica and the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project focus on crime prevention and youth initiatives.

Civil society and NGOs are actively involved in social development, primarily focusing on issues like combating violence against women, as well as police and prison reform, rather than addressing organized crime. While Dominica constitutionally guarantees freedom of the press, the media environment remains largely influenced by the state, though the island is generally recognized as upholding strong political and civil liberties.