Grenada

People

Human trafficking in Grenada remains limited, and the country is not widely covered in major international assessments. A cross-border sex exploitation network has been reported operating between Grenada, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, with individuals involved in massage services, exotic dancing and prostitution facing sexual exploitation – though evidence of trafficking is lacking. Grenada is, however, a source country for human smuggling, with primary destinations including the US, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada and the UK. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters have exacerbated irregular immigration, highlighting an expanding human smuggling network.

Despite Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis, there has not been a significant increase in Venezuelan migration to Grenada, as most migrants favour destinations with greater economic prospects. In recent years, authorities have uncovered sporadic evidence of smuggling activity, such as the discovery of Ivorian passports and a vessel linked to a fatal incident, though such cases remain isolated. There is no evidence of extortion or protection racketeering associated with organized crime in Grenada.

Trade

Grenada is not a major actor in the regional illicit arms trade, but it faces growing concerns over gun violence linked to firearms smuggled from neighbouring islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela. By 2024, authorities had seized a significant number of illegal weapons. Firearms are often linked to drug trafficking and are typically transported via maritime routes used for other illicit products, including drugs, although no local arms trafficking rings have been identified.

At the same time, there is no evidence of a trade in counterfeit goods or an illicit market for excise goods in Grenada. Although there have been anecdotal reports of alcohol smuggling, these appear to be isolated incidents with no confirmed links to organized criminal groups.

Environment

There is insufficient evidence to suggest the existence of flora-related crimes in Grenada, as no major reports of illegal logging or forest crimes emerged during the reporting period. Government efforts in preservation and prevention have not identified organized crime’s involvement in this market.

On the other hand, Grenada is a source country for turtles and fish, which are commercialized locally, but there is limited information on international wildlife trafficking. Challenges persist with conch shell trafficking and habitat loss, both of which affect biodiversity and the fishing industry. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is typically carried out by small-scale fishermen from neighbouring islands.

In terms of the non-renewable resources trade, state-linked criminal actors in Grenada appear to benefit from suspicious oil contracts, with foreign companies also implicated. Key government officials have been involved in bribery scandals benefiting foreign companies that operate in this sector.

Drugs

There is no evidence of a heroin market in Grenada. On the contrary, the country serves primarily as a transit point for cocaine, with drugs smuggled from Venezuela to destinations such as Canada, the US and Europe. Maritime routes, especially involving small fishing boats and merchant vessels, are commonly used. While local dealers work with Venezuelan traffickers, profits for Grenadian traffickers remain limited as the drugs are trans-shipped onward. Recent seizures, including cocaine found on a Grenada-flagged vessel and a mix of drugs and firearms busted in another instance, reflect ongoing trafficking activity.

Grenada also serves as a source, transit and destination country for cannabis, with local gangs controlling production and trafficking. While cannabis use is widespread, the market has shrunk in recent years, as many Caribbean nations have started to decriminalize the drug. Imported cannabis, primarily from St. Vincent and the Grenadines – where it is considered higher quality than locally grown varieties – is often smuggled by fishing vessels to other markets, including Canada, the US and Europe. Overall, cannabis-related arrests and seizures remain common.

The market for synthetic drugs remains minimal, with seizures limited. These drugs are primarily transported through existing cocaine routes, especially via air couriers. Since the mid-2000s, authorities have reported an increase in ecstasy use, particularly among youth, though demand remains low relative to cannabis.

Cyber-dependent crimes

Cyber-dependent crimes in Grenada remain relatively limited, with occasional reports of ransomware and malware attacks, primarily targeting the private sector.

Financial Crimes

Financial crimes are not uncommon in Grenada and largely involve phishing, email scams, pyramid schemes and credit card fraud. Recent reports of fraudulent investment schemes have prompted warnings from financial institutions. Furthermore, phishing attacks targeting accounts on social media platforms and messaging apps have increased, with a rise in malicious posts and fake accounts.

Criminal Actors

Grenada does not have mafia-style groups operating within its borders. However, the country is home to several loosely connected criminal gangs primarily involved in petty street crime and cannabis trafficking. These gangs exert control over local neighbourhoods and often engage in violent acts, typically using cutlasses due to their limited access to firearms. While domestic, these gangs maintain links to transnational criminal networks in Guyana, Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which supply drugs for onward distribution to North America and Europe.

State-embedded actors exert notable influence over criminal markets. This is particularly evident in financial crimes involving embezzlement, illicit political campaign contributions and kickbacks associated with Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. Recent bribery scandals have implicated high-level state officials in crimes related to the exploitation of non-renewable resources.

Venezuelan and Guyanese criminal groups are active in Grenada, primarily controlling cocaine shipments via go-fast vessels that exploit the Grenadines’ porous maritime borders. These groups’ involvement in the trans-shipment of drugs links Grenada to international markets. Additionally, sex trafficking rings originating from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago use Grenada as a destination for victims. Established connections with St. Vincent and the Grenadines further facilitate both drug and human smuggling operations.

Private sector actors in Grenada exert limited but notable influence over certain illicit activities. The most common is money laundering, especially given the presence of high-risk sectors such as commercial banking. Additionally, recent allegations suggest collusion between state and private sector actors in financial crimes, including tax evasion and other forms of corruption.

Leadership and governance

Grenada remains politically stable, with strong performance in areas such as political stability and accountability. However, challenges remain concerning government effectiveness and regulatory quality. Despite this, the country has demonstrated its commitment to addressing organized crime, having signed the Copenhagen Declaration to combat transnational crime in the fishing industry.

Corruption involving offshore banking and the CBI programme has raised concerns, particularly regarding the previous administration. The new National Democratic Congress government has prioritized anti-corruption measures and public sector accountability. While Grenada’s corruption perception remains moderate, the country faces significant challenges when it comes to transparency and accountability. Public officials are required to declare assets, but the lack of public access to information law limits transparency, while the opacity surrounding state-run entities has hindered oversight. Under the previous government, Grenada faced corruption scandals – particularly within its CBI programme – including failed projects and alleged interference in programme application approvals. Since the new government took office, efforts have been made to address past misconduct and improve governance. However, public frustration has grown due to ongoing mismanagement. Grenada has yet to sign the UN Convention against Corruption, although it acknowledges the convention.

Grenada is committed to combating organized crime through international cooperation, having ratified treaties including the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and the Arms Trade Treaty. It collaborates with the Regional Security System and receives support from the US, UK and EU, including via training, equipment and joint initiatives. Grenada also engages in regional efforts, such as the Seaport Cooperation Programme, which target human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Domestically, Grenada’s legislation addresses organized crime, drug trafficking, firearms, extradition and mutual legal assistance. In 2014, the country approved an anti-human trafficking bill and has implemented national anti-drug strategies for 2014–2018 and 2019–2023. The 2013 Electronic Crimes Bill, amended in 2017, targets cybercrime; however, it is considered outdated and has not yet led to the development of a national cybersecurity strategy. In 2021, Grenada amended the Immigration Act to penalize individuals aiding immigration violations and increase penalties for offenders. It also revised the Firearms Act to regulate firearm licenses, certificates and permits.

Criminal justice and security

Grenada’s judicial system is based on English common law and consists of four levels: the Magistrates Court, the High Court, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Privy Council. The system faces challenges including outdated procedures, slow case processing and insufficient resources – all of which contribute to case backlogs. Serious drug offenders often receive fines instead of prison sentences. The prison system struggles with overcrowding and poor conditions that violate international standards, including the lack of separation between juvenile and adult offenders. Issues such as corruption, poor infrastructure and mistreatment of prisoners – including flogging for petty crimes – persist.

The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), with around 1 000 staff, handles general law enforcement duties, including drug trafficking and organized crime investigations. The force receives support from international partners like the US and uses technology to improve crime prevention and response efforts. The Drug Squad Unit plays a key role in coordinating drug interdiction efforts, often working with Customs and the Coast Guard on maritime trafficking investigations. The RGPF has received recognition for its crime-fighting and community policing, with the use of initiatives like mobile police substations. While recommendations have been made to further limit police use of firearms and address excessive force, there have been continuous reports of excessive force and misconduct within the force, including allegations of sexual harassment by high-ranking officers.

Grenada’s strategic location in the Eastern Caribbean, near South America, and its porous borders make it vulnerable to drug trafficking – particularly the trans-shipment of cocaine to Europe and other Caribbean islands. Criminal organizations frequently use yachts to transport drugs, and Grenada’s six authorized maritime entry ports are difficult to control due to high volumes of pleasure boats. Intelligence indicates that individuals fleeing law enforcement in neighbouring St. Lucia seek refuge in Grenada, raising further concerns about border security. Grenada collaborates with regional and international partners to combat organized crime, supported by its Immigration and Passport department, which oversees foreign entry.

Economic and financial environment

Grenada is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and adheres to anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism frameworks. However, the country continues to face challenges related to money laundering, particularly linked to narcotics trafficking and smuggling by local organized crime groups. Illicit funds are laundered through businesses and purchases of real estate, boats, jewellery and cars. While not a major financial hub, Grenada struggles with a cash-based economy that facilitates these criminal activities.

Concerns also persist over potential misuse of Grenada’s CBI programme, despite stronger regulations. Financial institutions have filed numerous suspicious activity reports, with banks accounting for the majority. There are also concerns over weaknesses in financial oversight, especially regarding rapidly growing credit unions.

Grenada’s economic regulatory framework remains restrictive, with limited access to credit, a high tax burden and burdensome property regulations. However, the country adopts a liberal approach to foreign investment and actively encourages it. To improve its investment climate, Grenada has established an agreement with the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission to oversee regional market development and investor protection. Additionally, a separate Investment Funds Act was enacted to regulate investment funds and their operators within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

Civil society and social protection

The RGPF operates a special victims unit focused on supporting victims of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence. The unit conducts investigations and helps victims obtain protection orders. Despite limited resources, it has been effective in safeguarding victims and witnesses. Recently, local law enforcement has expanded its support services, including counselling and witness protection programmes, to more effectively assist victims and witnesses.

Grenada has also implemented various drug prevention campaigns, including sports-based programmes, workplace and school guidelines, and public awareness initiatives involving posters and information dissemination. In February 2024, Grenada launched its National Drug Plan aimed at drug prevention, treatment and enforcement. However, the country does not fully adhere to the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention and Drug Use Disorders. Since 2016, Grenada has participated in the CariSECURE Project, which aims to improve policymaking and programme development related to youth crime and violence in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean through reliable data on citizen security.

The country has an active civil society, with freedom of speech recognized and respected. However, civil society’s impact is limited by a lack of resources. While media outlets are free to criticize the government, resource constraints leave the media vulnerable to political pressures. Additionally, the government is accused of monitoring social networks, which has encouraged self-censorship.